Everyday Okra & Shrimp Curry

Serves 4

Oakland author and cooking teacher Ruta Kahate says if you don't like your curry soupy, which this is, boil it down before adding the shrimp. Increase the amount of okra if you wish. Serve with steamed rice.

INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon finely grated garlic (2 large cloves)
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon cumin seed, finely ground
1/2 teaspoon coriander seed, finely ground
2 1/2 cups plus 1 teaspoon water
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 14.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk (well shaken)
1/2 pound tender okra, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup fresh tomato puree (about 1 medium tomato, skinned, seeded)
1 serrano chile, cut lengthwise into 4, seeds included
1 pound medium-size raw shrimp, peeled, deveined
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS:

Instructions: Stir together garlic, turmeric, cayenne, cumin, coriander and 1 teaspoon water to make a thick paste. Using a fork, mix together onion and canola oil, crushing onion slightly. Mix spice paste into onion.

Over medium heat, bring coconut milk and 2 1/2 cups water to a boil. Immediately reduce to a simmer. Stir onion mixture into coconut milk, making sure that the spice paste is well distributed. Add okra and salt, stir and simmer, uncovered, until okra is tender, about 30 minutes.

Add pureed tomato and serrano. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the shrimp and simmer only until shrimp are cooked, another 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar and simmer for a few minutes more. Taste and adjust the salt, if needed.

Per serving: 375 calories, 19 g protein, 11 g carbohydrate, 30 g fat (20 g saturated), 135 mg cholesterol, 979 mg sodium, 4 g fiber.
Karola Saekel is a Chronicle staff writer. E-mail her at kcraib@sfchronicle.com.