Lulu Grimes is Good Meals’s head of brand name belief, and beforehand served as our managing editor. “Okra is certainly one of my favorite greens. I spent my early childhood in India and grew up consuming it as an on a regular basis vegetable – it was simply grown and extensively obtainable. Within the space of London the place I reside now, I should purchase it each recent and frozen, and all the time have a bag of frozen sliced okra within the freezer. I prefer it fried with turmeric and cumin.”
What’s okra?
Okra, often known as women’ fingers, bhindi or gombo/gumbo, is the pod of an annual plant that’s eaten as a vegetable. It’s a widespread and standard vegetable in lots of elements of the world, together with Africa (the place it’s regarded as indigenous to the northeast of the nation), the Center East, Asia and the Americas. Okra made its option to the Americas with folks taken into slavery; it has a deep historic and cultural significance to these cuisines and communities.
There are numerous cultivars. Pods could vary in dimension between 5-20cm and in color from mild to darkish inexperienced and, extra hardly ever, crimson. Okra pods might be ridged and taper to a degree at one finish, which is why they’re typically likened to women’ fingers. They include tiny pale seeds and a gel-like substance, mucilage, that’s launched when lower. This texture is a prized in some cuisines, like that of the American South, as a result of it acts as a thickener in dishes corresponding to gumbos.
In Indian delicacies, the place it is named bhindi, okra is usually fried (typically dipped in gram flour first) or added to curries and vegetable dishes. The flavour of okra isn’t actually comparable with the rest, however it’s gentle – whether or not you prefer it or not comes right down to texture.
What does okra style like?
Okra has a gentle, vegetal flavour, however is distinct from the way you cook dinner many different greens due to its texture.
What’s one of the simplest ways to cook dinner okra?
Okra will solely develop into mucilaginous whether it is lower. If you happen to trim it with out piercing the pods and fry it or roast it complete, then it’ll crisp up on the surface whereas turning into tender inside.
You can even slice and fry it, however deal with it as little as attainable and fry it rapidly. Some recipes name for it to be fried earlier than being added to a liquid, which helps diminish the viscous texture of its juice. If you happen to solely cook dinner it for a brief period of time, it’ll have a crisp texture like a inexperienced bean; there are numerous American recipes for okra dipped in cornmeal batter and fried to crisp nuggets. The extra it cooks, the extra tender it turns into.
Soaking the entire pods in water with a few slices of lemon for an hour is claimed to assist remove a few of their sticky liquid. If you happen to do wish to launch the liquid so the okra acts as a thickener, slice the pods thickly or thinly earlier than including them to the dish.
Okra can be generally pickled in international locations with heat climates the place it grows nicely – it grows quick and abundantly, and is preserved in some ways. You’ll be able to ‘fast pickle’ okra in brine, so it’s prepared in 48 hours.
What to search for when shopping for okra
Recent okra must be a vibrant inexperienced with no black spots or blemishes, and the stalk ends must be on the pod and look freshly lower somewhat than shrivelled. Search for smaller sizes – youthful pods might be extra tender than bigger, older ones. Okra will maintain within the fridge within the salad drawer for just a few days, offered it doesn’t get too damp.
Fast-fried okra recipe
Components
- handful of okra per particular person
- 2 tbsp rapeseed oil
- pinch of floor turmeric
- pinch of chilli powder
Technique
- Trim the okra ends, then lower every pod into 1cm items.
- Warmth the oil in a big frying pan, then tip within the okra, retaining the warmth comparatively excessive. Shake the pan so the okra begins to fry on all sides.
- Fry for about 8 minutes, shaking every so often and turning the warmth down if wanted.
- Add the turmeric, chilli and loads of salt and pepper, and shake the pan, frying for an additional minute. The okra must be browned and crisp on the edges and could have shrunk in dimension. Tip right into a dish and serve.
Our high okra recipes
1. Julie’s kari ikan (Malaysian fish curry)
Tuck into this vibrant fish curry on a Friday evening with household or mates. Mild and recent, but wealthy and spicy, get pleasure from with an enormous bowl of steamed rice.
2. Superkanja
This Senegalese superkanja recipe by head chef Modou Diagne combines beef, white fish, okra and spices. Strive it for a comforting dish that is full of flavour.
3. Spiced okra curry
Our spiced okra curry makes a superb aspect dish or perhaps a predominant course. Use recent, younger okra and serve it with steamed rice. It takes only a handful of components and is nice for feeding veggies, vegans and carnivores alike.
4. Hen gumbo
Gumbo is one other identify for okra, which is how this dish received its identify. This rooster gumbo recipe is a fast model, prepared in an hour and full of flavour and spice. It is also low-fat, wholesome and freezable for midweek meals.
5. Okra with tomato sauce & couscous
Want a easy veggie dish you may make with storecupboard components? Our okra with tomato sauce & couscous, served with a drizzle of yogurt or salty feta is filled with color and texture.
Wish to attempt extra cooking strategies and scrumptious recipes?
Simple curry recipes for inexperienced persons
The right way to make a curry much less spicy
The right way to cook dinner plantain
The right way to cook dinner child corn
What’s your favorite option to eat okra? Go away a remark under…
