Stewed Okra – blackpeoplesrecipes.com

Stewed okra is a soulful dish that options the inexperienced, finger-shaped vegetable referred to as okra as its star ingredient. Paired with ripe tomatoes and seasonings, each chunk of this Southern delight guarantees a comforting, earthy style sensation.

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Detailed measurements and full directions will be discovered within the recipe card on the backside of this put up.

As a busy mother, I like recipes which are easy but scrumptious, like my household’s stewed okra and tomatoes. This charming Southern delight is not only one other dish; it’s an expertise! 

Okra, with its distinctive texture and delicate taste, is stewed with ripe tomatoes and fragrant spices, making a warming, hearty stew. Each spoonful guarantees a burst of earthy flavors, transporting you to cozy household dinners at house. 

Should you’re a fan of greens cooked with numerous flavors, slightly little bit of fats, and seasoned, you’ll like this dish. Additionally, try a few of our different scrumptious vegetable recipes, like this Southern inexperienced beans and potatoes aspect dish.

Substances for Stewed Okra

Bacon grease – this can give that scrumptious savory taste to the okra. Should you don’t have bacon grease, use butter or olive oil.

Aromatics – Onions and garlic are merely a should. I exploit purple onions, however yellow or candy onions work as nicely. 

Okra – Contemporary inexperienced pods are greatest for this dish. 

Tomatoes – I exploit contemporary cherry tomatoes in my recipe, as I discover them sweeter. Please be happy to make use of canned tomatoes in the event you’d like. Tomatoes on this dish assist eradicate among the slimness okra is understood for. 

Rooster broth – gives taste and will get the stew a stewing. 

Seasoning – cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. 

How one can make Stewed Okra

Prep your elements by slicing the okra into ½ inch items, eradicating the stems and tiny ends. Minimize your cherry tomatoes in half. You may as well lower tomatoes smaller in the event you favor. Chop purple onions and garlic.

Warmth the bacon grease in a big skillet or pot over medium warmth.

Add the chopped purple onion to the skillet and sauté for about 8 minutes, till the onions are tender and translucent.

Stir within the chopped garlic and sauté for two minutes, till aromatic.

Add the sliced okra and cherry tomatoes to the skillet, and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning. Stir to mix the elements.

Pour within the rooster broth and season with kosher salt and black pepper. Stir nicely.

Cowl the skillet or pot and let the combination simmer for about quarter-hour, till the okra is tender and the flavors have melded collectively.

Take away the lid and provides the stew a delicate stir.

Style and regulate the seasoning with salt and pepper if wanted.

IV. Variations to Spice Up Your Stewed Okra Recreation

Including completely different herbs and spices can tremendously improve the flavour profile of your stewed okra. For a extra earthy and savory be aware, strive including thyme. Should you’re a fan of smoky flavors, strive including smoked paprika. 

Including proteins like bacon or sausage is a good choice. Bacon gives a pleasant, smoky taste that pairs splendidly with the refined style of okra. However, sausage, particularly smoked or spicy varieties, can infuse your stew with a sturdy, meaty taste that turns it into a whole meal.

Add different greens, reminiscent of corn or bell peppers, to offer your stew extra taste and coloration. 

How one can Retailer

Make forward: Stewed okra is a superb make-ahead dish. You possibly can put together the stew a day earlier than or earlier within the day, which permits the flavors to meld collectively and improve over time. As soon as cooked, permit the stew to chill, then cowl the pot or switch it to a container and retailer it within the fridge till you’re able to serve.

To refrigerate: If you end up with leftovers, they are often safely saved within the fridge. Make sure the stew is in an hermetic container to take care of freshness and forestall it from absorbing different flavors within the fridge. It may be saved like this for as much as 3 to 4 days.

To freeze: Enable the stew to chill fully earlier than transferring it to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer baggage. It may be saved within the freezer for as much as 2-3 months. To serve, thaw in a single day within the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop.

Professional Ideas

Deciding on Okra: Select younger, tender pods for the perfect taste and texture. They need to be shiny inexperienced and freed from blemishes or discoloration.

Prepping Okra: Rinse your okra underneath cool water and pat dry earlier than slicing. Slice off the stem ends however keep away from slicing into the seed cells to reduce the ‘gooey’ texture okra is understood for.

Balancing the Sliminess: Okra releases a sticky substance when cooked, which might lend a gooey texture to your stew. Some individuals love this, whereas others favor to reduce it. Should you’re within the latter group, strive including a little bit of acid reminiscent of tomatoes or vinegar to the dish, which can assist scale back the sliminess.

Spicing it up: Don’t be afraid to experiment with spices and herbs. This dish is a incredible canvas for flavors like smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, or perhaps a bay leaf.

Cooking Time: Be cautious to not overcook your okra, as it could actually develop into too tender. Relying on how you want your okra, regulate the cooking time. Usually, 15-20 minutes ought to be sufficient to cook dinner the okra however nonetheless preserve some chunk.

Serving Options & Pairings 

Stewed Okra is a scrumptious aspect dish. Make it part of your meal and serve it with cornbread. You may as well serve this over rice. Different advised dished to serve with okra are fried rooster, cajun fish, or fried fish. 

Continuously Requested Questions

I hope you like this okra as a lot as we do. Should you’re on the lookout for extra Soul meals vegetable recipes, strive these out:

In case you have tried this recipe, please fee it and let me know the way it turned out within the feedback under!