Okra Revival

A delicious recipe for this underappreciated vegetable 🙌

Okra is one of the most polarizing vegetables in food circles.

Some people love okra… pickled, fried, stewed, in soups; you name it.

Many people though have had bad experiences with okra and the word most used is “slimy”.

Yes, okra has starch that when cooked certain ways can have a mucoid property to it. Ironically, this property makes it a great candidate to naturally thicken soups (think gluten free option!) if used in moderate amounts.

I’m going to show you how to make delicious okra with a recipe that neutralizes the gooey texture that many find off putting, and amplifying the natural flavors of the okra which are really delicious.

I’ve converted many anti-okra eaters with this simple preparation so read along and give this recipe a shot as summer winds down. You should still be able to find fresh okra in grocery stores, middle eastern markets and farmers markets.

Pro tip: when buying okra try and find the smaller pods as they tend to be more tender and sweet. If all you can find are larger okra this recipe will still work and be delicious.

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Ingredients

1 lb Okra, (stem ends cut flush to base of pod)

1/4c olive oil

1 onion, thinly sliced, pole-to-pole

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 lemon zested

14oz crushed tomatoes (canned)

1/2 c chicken stock (or water)

1/2 tsp caraway seed

1 tsp dried dill (or 1 TB fresh chop)

2 tsp honey (garlic honey works great here)

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Method

1. Heat your broiler/grill to high. Toss the okra lightly in 1-2 tsp avocado or peanut oil. Spread on a foil sheet pan.

2. Broil, turning every few mins, until all sides are charred, approx 3-5 mins, Remove from oven. 

   

3. *Note: The high heat is what "sets" the starch, neutralizing the slimy quality.

4. While the okra broils, heat a saucepan over med/med-hi heat. Add the oil, onion and sweat for 3-5 mins until soft and translucent (don’t allow to brown).

5. Add the caraway, dill, and garlic. Cook for 1 min to bloom spice/herb and garlic is fragrant.

   

6. Add the tomato, okra, water. Season with salt and pepper Once the liquid is simmering, cover with a lid and allow to stew for 15-20 mins.

7. Uncover, add lemon zest, honey. Stir, check seasoning and adjust. Serve in a bowl with a sprinkling of picked cilantro

   

Don’t let the summer end before whipping up this easy and tasty okra dish. Can serve over rice for vegetarians or as a side dish for dinner.

Enjoy 🤝