Spiced Okra Recipes

SPICED OKRA WITH TOMATOES RECIPE

Steps:

• For the Spice Mixture : Combine cumin, coriander, cardamom (if using), and dried habanero (if using) in a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Toast spices until fragrant, about 2 minutes. When cool enough to handle, remove cardamom pods, then place remaining spices in spice grinder or mortar. Using fingers, crack open cardamom pods and remove seeds contained within; discard hull. Add cardamom seeds to other spices. Using spice grinder or mortar and pestle, grind spices to fine powder. Set aside.
• For the Okra : Heat canola oil in Dutch oven or 3-quart saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onions and salt and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until onions are golden and just starting to brown, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste, stir and cook until paste has colored the contents of the pot a reddish-brown, about 1 minute. Mound onions, ginger, and garlic in center of pot and add spice mixture directly on top (this is to guard against scorching the spices). Stir together, then cook until spices are bloomed and mixture is very fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add water and stir, scraping bottom of pot with wooden spoon to dislodge any stuck-on bits. Add tomato sauce and okra and stir to break up frozen okra. (Okra pieces should be just submerged in the liquid; if not, add more water to cover them). Bring contents of pot to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until okra is tender, most of excess liquid has cooked off, and okra is thickly coated in sauce, 10-15 minutes. Top with cilantro and serve immediately as part of a larger meal with rice or paratha , passing lime wedges alongside.

SPICED OKRA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a saute pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the okra, red pepper flakes, tomatoes, thyme and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Cover, decrease the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the okra is just tender, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

SPICY PICKLED OKRA

Steps:

• Wash the okra, rubbing lightly to remove any grit and fuzz. Sterilize 2 (1 quart ) canning jars and lids in boiling water for at least 10 minutes, allow to cool before filling with okra.
• Combine the cider vinegar, water, garlic, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, salt, and peppercorns to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Reduce the temperature and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Pack fresh, cleaned okra loosely into the jars. Pour the hot brine over the okra, filling the jars to the top. Seal jars, making sure you have cleaned the jar's rims of any residue. Store the jars in the refrigerator. Allow contents to pickle at least one week minimum before eating, two weeks is best.

SPICY OKRA

Steps:

• Rinse okra in a colander under hot water.
• Heat oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté onion, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes (including juice) and chile and boil, stirring, until tomatoes are softened and liquid is reduced by half, 5 to 10 minutes. Add okra and cook, gently stirring, until okra is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper and discard chile.

SPICY ROASTED OKRA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Toss the okra with olive oil to coat.
• In a small bowl combine coriander, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper and salt.
• Toss okra with spiced salt mixture.
• Spread okra on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 12 to 15 minutes, or until tender, turning once.
• Serve immediately with lemon wedges (squeeze over each serving)!
• Makes four servings.