Try either approach if you wish and decide your preference. If you’re the type who doesn’t like the flavor of okra, then skip to another post, cause okra is in the house it’s the star! This fewer ingredient okra recipe came out just fine, if not better. I got resourceful and went with the Indian option out of necessity to a certain degree as I didn’t have good fresh herbs on hand. I’ve either used a Puerto Rican style sofrito or Haitian epis, both of which rely on a salsa-like condiment featuring tomatoes, garlic, and herbs to serve as the base flavor. In the past, when making a similar dish, I’ve borrowed from my Caribbean cousins to make up for the lack of bacon.
![smothered okra smothered okra](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cduCLlo7FQo/maxresdefault.jpg)
I observed this in Indian cooking over the years and adopted this approach in my style. Heating spices intensifies their flavors. One smash up about 3-5 garlic cloves and slowly simmered them in olive oil for about 20 minutes along with some fresh basil and spices. Served with smoked fried chicken or blackened pork chops. If stewed okra isn't your thing because of the okra, substitute green beans in the recipe instead.
![smothered okra smothered okra](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/23/69/f2/2369f2f5de4f20a5171d934d226fbe48.jpg)
My preference is fresh, but if I need convenience or want stewed okra during off-season I will substitute the frozen pods. This recipe absolutely works with frozen okra. Stewed okra can be made ahead and refrigerated. It’s your choice, but if slicing, cut the okra thick
#Smothered okra free#
When adding the tomatoes cook at high heat for them to release their juices, then quickly reduce heat to a simmerįeel free to use whole or sliced okra. Salt the okra and then toss in lemon-juice water which keeps the okra from getting all gummy when you cook themįor more complex flavor heat spices and garlic in oil before adding the vegetables. Stir in juice from the other lemon half and serve. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes stirring as often as needed. Add the water, cayenne, bay leaf, and remaining spices. Add the sliced okra and cook for 2 minutes, stirring as needed.Īdd the tomatoes and cook over high heat until they release their juices which should take about a minute. Increase the heat to medium then add onions and saute for 3-4 minutes. Let the oil simmer 3-4 minutes to allow the infusion of the garlic and spices to occur. Add olive oil and once heated add the garlic cloves and half the spices. Cut the lemon in half, then using one half, squeeze lemon juice on the okra and let sit 5-10 minutes. "Stewed" sounds like a long time, but this recipe actually comes together rather quickly and easily. Simple dishes can be made fresh from the garden or farmers market. Okra and tomatoes are an excellent combination that uses fresh summer vegetables favorites. Don't sweat it though, this recipe got plenty of soul. No bacon, however, meant I had to rely on a few tricks to make up for the loss in flavor from excluding it. The other reason I went without bacon was to keep that fresh okra flavor which tends to get lost in the midst of that glorious bacon.
![smothered okra smothered okra](https://i2.wp.com/www.angsarap.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Smothered-Okra-with-Shrimp-Crabmeat.jpg)
I decided to ax the bacon to make a true plant-based vegan version.
![smothered okra smothered okra](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/2e/c6/00/2ec6001fffd0e9c9c7bd8baa949a1643.jpg)
Bacon is usually the first ingredient in the pan and then the onions and garlic are sautéed in the grease before the other ingredients are layered in. In my experience, stewed okra flavor begins with bacon. I ain’t saying you have to have it on your menu to be considered legit, I’m just saying you got more to prove to me aka the soul food snob! If I go to a “soul food” joint and stewed okra ain’t on the menu, I’m already suspicious of said joint. Leveled up stewed okra featuring simple spices heated in oil to dial up flavor and infuse the okra and tomatoes with even more complex flavor for a great side dish in a matter of minutes.