Lunchbox Bites : Classy Rice Recipes

                  Ochra rice

Posted on 17th November, 2009/comments

Lunchbox Bites : Classy Rice Recipes

                                      
                  Ochra Rice 

Sounds alien ..Huuh ! Ladies-finger or bhindi, other names of ochra will  make you more comfortable. Ladies-finger was the second favorite to potato, and a regular lunch box dish during my school days.

Still, trying out a combo of rice and ladies finger sounded weired when a marathi friend of mine told the recipe. Hesitant to try the recipe, it was put on hold for good. Till one day  dal(pulses) being too spicy my son accidently mixed in the side-dish of ladies-finger in the plain rice.  And the combo got a thumbs up from then on.

It was only then that I brushed my recipe book to check the ingredients for the recipe which has now become a favorite lunchbox bites for my kids. And the recipe goes like this,

Ingredients :

• 1 cup pre-cooked rice
• 10 -12 ladies-finger
• 1 tbsp. groundnut powder
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp red chilly powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder (jeera) 
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 tsp oil
• salt as per taste

Methos : Roast the groundnuts in a heavy bottom kadai and grind in a mixie to make a coarse powder. Wash the vegetables, wipe it dry and cut it in bite size peices. Heat oil in a kadai (wok) and add mustard seeds, let it splutter. Add  ladies finger, all the dry spices, salt and let it cook for 5 minutes on slow heat. keep stirring in between to avoid burning the dish. Take off the heat and mix the pre-cooked rice in it. Sprinkle fresh coriander leaves and pack the lunchbox or simply enjoy  the quick-lunch on a busy day at home.

Note :

• Since I cook this recipe for my kids, the quantity of spices are less. Increase the chilly powder to 1 tsp. for adults.
• Try the same recipe using  magic-powder I mentioned in the recipe of green rice.
• The recipe saves a lot of time in the morning rush-hours.
• And provides the necessary  nutrition with ladies finger in it, at the same time.

Try the ochra rice combo and  be ready for all the 'wows !' for your adventure.