Pan Seared Okra With Bacon Recipes

PAN ROASTED OKRA WITH ONIONS AND FIVE SPICES 'BHINDI SABZI'

Steps:

• Wash okra and wipe dry. Trim and leave okra whole. In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil until hot. Add the spice blend and let it sizzle for 20 seconds or until the cumin turns a few shades darker. Add the okra and onions, toss and mix, and cook about 10 minutes or until vegetables are streaked brown.
• Add water and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, covered, for about 10 minutes or until okra is soft. Uncover and continue cooking until the excess moisture evaporates and the vegetables look glazed. Sprinkle with lemon juice and salt and serve.
• Combine cumin, mustard, fennel and sesame seeds and red pepper flakes.

OKRA, TOMATOES, AND BACON

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Crumble bacon into a bowl.
• Add onion and garlic to skillet over medium heat; cook and stir until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add hot pepper and cook until tender, about 3 minutes more. Add drained tomatoes; season with thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook 5 minutes more.
• Add okra and enough reserved juice from tomatoes to cover. Simmer, covered, until okra is tender, about 15 minutes.

SAUTEED OKRA

Steps:

• Wash okra under cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Trim stem ends.
• Heat a cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add bacon, and cook, turning occasionally, until golden. Drain bacon on paper towels, and crumble into pieces.
• Discard all but 3 tablespoons of bacon fat; return pan to heat. When fat is hot but not smoking, add okra. Cook, turning occasionally, until okra is bright green and slightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; transfer to a platter. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately.

MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN'S ROASTED OKRA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Rinse the okra, and drain on a kitchen towel. The okra should be dry. Trim away the stem ends and the tips, just the very ends, and then place the okra in a large bowl. Salt to taste, and toss with the olive oil until coated.
• Lift the okra from the bowl, leaving behind any excess oil. Place on a sheet pan in one layer. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes (large okra might take a little longer), shaking the pan every five minutes. The okra should be lightly browned and tender, with a nice seared aroma. If you don't want it to brown as much, set the oven at 400 degrees.
• Remove from the heat, toss with fresh thyme, if desired, and freshly ground pepper. Transfer to a platter. Serve hot.