Serves 4–6

The unique sauce in this dish is a far cry from the traditional, super-rich hollandaise sauce or butter and nutmeg traditionally served with asparagus in the West.

Thai-Style Fried Okra

illustration cup all-purpose flour

½ cup tapioca flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ cup water

1 pound small okra, trimmed

1 cup vegetable oil

1 recipe chili dipping sauce of your choice (see recipes in Chapter 2)

  1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the flours, the baking soda, and water to form a batter. Add the okra pieces.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan or wok over high heat. (It should be hot enough that a test piece of batter puffs up immediately.)
  3. Add the battered okra, a few at a time, and fry until golden.
  4. Using a slotted spoon, remove the okra to paper towels to drain.
  5. Serve hot with your favorite chili dipping sauce.