Image Credit: Noob Cook
Try this tasty and spicy side dish to spice up your meal. Almost similar to Kangkung Belacan, Belacan Ladies Finger goes well with a warm bowl of rice.
What is the Belacan Ladies Finger?
A plate of belacan Ladies Finger is made of two main ingredients which are belacan (shrimp paste) and Ladies Finger. This recipe is super simple to prepare. Just stir fry some onion, garlic and shrimp paste, and then combine with Ladies Finger. The shrimp paste is enough to give a flavourful taste to the dish.
History of Belacan Ladies Finger
Ladies Finger or known as okra is widely grown in tropical and warm climate around the world. It is a vegetable with a finger-like shaped and small tip at the end. It has an inedible hairy top with a fibrous pod. The pod contains numerous edible oval white seeds. The mature Ladies Finger can be woody and tasteless. Therefore, the younger pods that are small and bright green is much preferred. It is more tender and less fibrous. There is a lesser-known red Ladies Finger which will turn to green when cooked. In Malaysia, it is commonly used in Curry Fish and Assam Fish.
Health Benefits of Ladies Finger
Ladies Finger contains numerous vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Like many other green vegetables, Ladies Finger contains high fibre which prevents constipation and promotes digestion. High fibre food can keep you feeling full for a long time, which is perfect for weight loss. The soluble fibre in Ladies Finger stabilises blood glucose level, which is highly recommended for people with diabetes.
The viscous white liquid in Ladies Finger has high soluble fibre which can bind to cholesterol and then remove it from the body. It reduces the cholesterol level and lowers the risk of heart disease. Ladies Finger also contains magnesium that can help to regulate blood pressure and lower the risk of stroke. Its rich content of vitamins C helps to alleviate asthma symptoms and boost the immune system which helps to fight infective diseases.
Ladies Finger is believed to be suitable for pregnant women. The folate (vitamin B9) in the Ladies Finger is an essential nutrient that helps reduce congenital disabilities in babies. The vitamin C in Ladies Finger boosts the iron absorption which is essential for foetus’s growth and development.
Where to find Belacan Ladies Finger in Malaysia?
You can find this dish in most Malay and Chinese restaurants and it is often available alongside Kangkung Belacan and Belacan Long Beans.
Try the simple side dish of Belacan Ladies Finger from PP Cafe (Miri). There is also Belacan Mix Vegetables from Madam Kwan (Mid Valley) which not only contains Ladies Finger but also has brinjals and long beans. Find more of the Malay cuisine on foodpanda!