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1) Wash the okra, cut of the hard stem and slice them thin, on the diagonal.*
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2) Heat up the oil to medium-high heat and fry the dried shrimps until fragrant.
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3) Add minced garlic and fry until fragrant as well.
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4) Toss in okra slices and fry on high heat, stirring continuously for about 1 minute. When the colour brightens up, turn the heat a little lower, pour in the water and cover the pan to let it steam for about 2-3 minutes.
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5) The okra will be very slimy and sticky now. Turn the heat higher again and keep stirring it to dry out as much slime as possible (make sure not to overcook it - or it turns yellow!) A little slime cannot be avoided. We love it that way, in fact.
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6) Toss in the chili flakes and keep stirring again until thoroughly incorporated and dish out.
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* When slicing okra, there will sometimes be woody ones. Toss them out. These are not worth the strain for your jaw muscles.
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** If you can't get dried shrimp, dried anchovies or even anchovies in oil can be used. Just chop them up and use.
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***Chili oil can easily be homemade. Soak dried red chilis in some warm vegetable oil for about 5-10 minutes then whir everything in the food processor or blender. Heat the mixture in the microwave on high for about 1 minute and let it sit in a jar for 1-2 weeks. You get chili oil and chili flakes to use. (I think you can easily get premade, salted ones?)
