Tomato And Okra Salad Recipes

CLASSIC OKRA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook the okra in boiling water to cover in a saucepan 10 minutes or until tender; drain, cool completely (about 30 minutes).
• Cut the okra into ¼-inch-thick slices, discarding the stems.
• Heat the bacon drippings in a saucepan over medium-high; add the onion and bell pepper, and sauté 6 minutes or until tender. Add the tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, lemon, and okra. Reduce heat to medium; cover and simmer 10 minutes.
• Stir together the flour and 1 tablespoon water until smooth; add the okra mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 or 3 minutes or until thickened.

OKRA, AVOCADO AND TOMATO SALAD WITH CHILI AND LIME JUICE

Steps:

• Trim the stems and tips from the okra, and place it in a steamer above 1 inch of boiling water. Cover and steam four minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse with cold water, then slice about 1/4 inch thick and place in a large bowl.
• Add the jalapeño, avocado, tomatoes and onion, if using. Season generously with salt, and toss together. Add the cilantro and lime juice, and toss well. Serve garnished with crumbled queso fresco, if desired.

OKRA SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the first 5 ingredients, and stir well.
• Blanch okra in boiling water 3 minutes.
• Drain.
• Combine warm okra, onion, and garlic in a 12x8x2-inch dish.
• Pour vinaigrette over okra mixture; toss gently to coat.
• Marinate at least 2 hours; drain.
• Arrange on serving plate with tomato slices; if desired.

SUMMERTIME STEWED OKRA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat. Saute onion and garlic in the hot oil until starting to caramelize, 15 to 20 minutes. Add tomato and okra; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until okra has softened completely and tomatoes have yielded their juices, about 30 minutes.
• Serve in shallow bowls with juices. Finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a little more freshly ground black pepper.

OKRA SALAD

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until evenly browned, then remove to paper towels to drain. Pour off most of the bacon grease, leaving a thin coating on the pan. Add okra to the bacon grease in the skillet, and fry until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the okra to a salad bowl, and toss with the onion, green pepper, and tomato. Crumble in the bacon.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, corn oil, and vinegar until the sugar has dissolved. Pour over the salad, and toss to coat. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

CORN AND TOMATO SALAD WITH FRIED OKRA CROUTONS

Steps:

• Place the corn kernels in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high power for 1 minute: stir, and microwave just until crisp-tender, up to 1 minute longer. Toss the corn in a mixing bowl with the tomatoes, scallions, and parsley.
• Whisk the sugar and 1/4 tsp salt with the vinegar in a small bowl until dissolved. Then whisk in the olive oil and thyme leaves until the dressing is thick and well blended. Pour the dressing over the salad, tossing to coat it well. Season with pepper, and additional salt if needed. Set the salad aside to allow the flavors to mellow while you fry the okra.
• Combine the cornmeal, salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl, and toss the okra slices in the mixture. Warm 1/3 inch of oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high heat.
• Drop a cornmeal-coated okra slice into the hot oil to test the temperature. When it sizzles energetically, add half of the remaining okra, without crowding. Fry until ver crisp and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove them with a slotted spatula and place them on paper towels to drain. Repeat with the second batch.
• Just before serving, taste the salad and adjust the seasonings if needed. Top each dish of salad with a generous mound of fried okra.