the_siobhan: It means, "to rot" (Default)
the_siobhan ([personal profile] the_siobhan) wrote2006-04-16 12:48 pm
Entry tags:

a question for the foodies

What, exactly, does one do with okra?

[identity profile] unagothae.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Only people in the deep southern States know for sure.

At least, that's what my mother tells me ;)

[identity profile] serenejournal.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
1) Dip them in egg, then cornmeal, then fry them.

2) Make Gumbo (http://maindish.allrecipes.com/az/TxskrGmb.asp)

3) Add a handful to any soup

4) Toss with oil and salt, and roast in a 400F oven, turning occasionally, until browned

[identity profile] tiger-spot.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 04:53 pm (UTC)(link)
One puts it back on the shelf and leaves it in the store.

If it's too late to do that, try gumbo.

[identity profile] rivka.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 05:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Avoid it.

[identity profile] holmes365.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
don't overcook. the texture is right up there with overcooked rotting calamari.

serenejournal has got it. A newer use invented by a southern cook here, is to take the baby okra seeds and use them like sunflower seeds or popcorn.

It's use in gumbo is as a thickener. many southern stews and soups use it for that.

http://www.neurophys.wisc.edu/ravi/okra/

[identity profile] bellafiga.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 05:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I've heard tell you fry it.

Boiling it, is gross cause it makes a very disgusting slime.

[identity profile] 50-ft-queenie.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
I think Okra may be one of the few veg I've never eaten.

[identity profile] nachtisch.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 05:21 pm (UTC)(link)

It's what makes gumbo gumbo-ey. If I'm feeling lazy, I just cook it in some stewed tomatoes.

[identity profile] individuation.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Spits it out, makes a face, and says to best friend "EW! You actually LIKE that shit?" while in an ethiopian restaurant.

[identity profile] greylock.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 05:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Ethiopian sux()rs.
Nepalese r()cks.

My Nepalese is apparently cooked by a Nepalese Princess.

I mean, how rock is that?

[identity profile] individuation.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Nono...i love ethiopian food.
I just really hate slimey nasty okra.

[identity profile] greylock.livejournal.com 2006-04-17 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
Aha.

I've had ethiopian twice, and wouldn't rush back.
Nepalese? I'd have it for lunch if it were open now.

[identity profile] the-siobhan.livejournal.com 2006-04-17 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I looooove Ethiopian. But I'm a big fan of the spicy.

[identity profile] okoshun.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I like to add it to tomato-based soups.

[identity profile] greylock.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
If it is also known as ladyfinger:
Ignore what everyone else has told you.

Quite what you're supposed to do I have no idea, but when we have been to Nepalese, I have heard much praise.

As much, I have consulted my Nepalese cookbook:
1/2LB or 1 cup Okra
1 Onion, grated
2.5 cm ginger, grated (I mean, really, they use use pounds and then cm? - that's an inch if you're unsure)
1/2 tsp tumeric
" cumin
" parsley seed
1/2 salt (as desired)
3. tbl oil


With Okra, slice off tops.
Cut into small pieces. Using mustard oil, fry onion 'till brown, add parsley etc, add oktra, mix, cook on slow heat until done. Serve with rice or bread.

I dislike okra, but vegetarians I know love Lady Finger at Nepalese (and I love spinich at Nepalese more than I have ever loved spinich).

[identity profile] thebigbad.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
mmm, okra! That's some mighty fine eatin. I was going to plunk down a few suggestions but serenejournal gave you all the ones I know, so the best I can say is yep, try those.

[identity profile] liz-lowlife.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Curry it.
My mate's Sri Lankan and he's always putting it in his yummy curries.

Or better still, just leave it be...it's 'orrible!

[identity profile] the-siobhan.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I have a big bag in my fridge. I'm usually game to try anything, so I figured I'd give it a go.
kest: (Default)

[personal profile] kest 2006-04-16 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
cut it in half and press cut ends against either side of your forehead. ta-da, horns!

[identity profile] the-siobhan.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
You win.

[identity profile] digital-space.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 06:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Off-topic: do an icon with Jim Caviezel. Then the collection will be complete.

[identity profile] xthlcm.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 07:20 pm (UTC)(link)
1) Breaded and deep fried. In fact, I think I remember we had that at Sweet Daddy D'z when you and Axel were down in Atlanta. :)

2) Cajun veggie stew. Mmmmm, one of the best vegan stews EVAR, especially with cornbread. I have a fantastic recipe somewheres for that -- I'll dig for it when I get home tonight.

[identity profile] the-siobhan.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't remember having okra - I think we had collard greens? (And I thought they were nasty.)

[identity profile] xthlcm.livejournal.com 2006-04-17 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
Hmm, perhaps you're right. I did you an injustice by not ordering the okra. :(

Anyway, the amazing delicious and easy stew recipe (it's a good idea to prepare all of the ingredients ahead of time):

=------------------------------------
Southern Vegetable Stew
-----------------------------------
INGREDIENTS:
2 14 1/2-ounce cans Cajun-style or Mexican-style stewed tomatoes

1 10-ounce package frozen black-eyed peas, cooked according to package directions, drained

1 10-ounce orange-fleshed sweet potato (yam), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

4 large bay leaves

4 large garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled

1/4 teaspoon (generous) ground allspice

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1 10-ounce package frozen sliced okra, thawed

1/2 10-ounce package frozen corn kernels, thawed

Hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)


INSTRUCTIONS:

Bring first 8 ingredients to boil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Cover pan, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until potato is tender, about 20 minutes. Add okra and corn and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Uncover and cook until thickened to desired consistency, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce.


[identity profile] theonebob.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 07:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Stand on her couch and declare your undying love for Katie Holmes.

[identity profile] missjanette.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
One must be very very careful to not overcook it and turn it to yecccccch.

I like okra in a tomato based sauce (less like spaghetti sauce, more like veg broth) w some lemon squeezed over it. mmm. It's also good to add to veg soup.

Amusingly enough, le bobz0r & I were just discussing okra today.

[identity profile] eciklb.livejournal.com 2006-04-17 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, the Greek version is much nicer (IMNSHO) than the Southern US version. I cook it in tomato and olive oil in the oven.

[identity profile] pfrank.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
there are some awesome Indian dishes that use it..

[identity profile] len9.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
fry it up with a bit or cornmeal...
in bacon grease, of course!
;)

[identity profile] iamjw.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Back away very slowly. It's some sort of slime-containing pod disguised as a vegetable. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[identity profile] notmostppl.livejournal.com 2006-04-16 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
feed it to the easter bunny and hope he gives you chocolate in return?

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2006-04-17 01:24 am (UTC)(link)

I cook it with tomato on top of burghal (a lebanese potato and grain based dish)

[identity profile] disastrid.livejournal.com 2006-04-17 02:16 am (UTC)(link)
throw it directly in the garbage.

[identity profile] jin-aili.livejournal.com 2006-04-17 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
I used to hate okra with a passion, but among other ways that [livejournal.com profile] xthlcm has enriched my life, he has taught me to appreciate okra. The cajun stew recipe he mentions is good, but my favorite way to eat it is Indian. (Similar to the Nepalese recipe above.) This is a pretty easy recipe and is also great if you use green beans instead of okra.

Okra with Cumin and Coriander

1 onion, peeled and chopped
2 TBS oil
1/2 pound okra, washed and trimmed
1 tsp salt
1 tsp whole cumin seeds
1 TBS ground coriander
1 cup (scant) water
2 tomatoes, chopped
salt and freshly ground pepper
to garnish: 1-2 TBS chopped fresh coriander

1) Saute the onion in the oil for 5 minutes, add the okra, salt, cumin seeds and ground coriander. Mix well, then cook gently, uncovered, 5 minutes.
2) Add the water, simmer, uncovered, about 20 minutes, until okra is tender and most of the water has been absorbed. Shake the pan or stir occasionaly to prevent sticking.
3) Add the tomatoes, check the seasoning, and sprinkle with the chopped frsh coriander. Serve hot, warm, or cold.

[identity profile] curiousangel.livejournal.com 2006-04-17 03:28 am (UTC)(link)
Fling it at those whom you have reason to detest. It's not quite as good as a live grenade, in that it generally doesn't explode, but it's easier to get through airports. If you happen to hit them in the mouth with it, they're three-quarters of the way to being dead already.

[identity profile] emzebel.livejournal.com 2006-04-17 01:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Find my southern grandmother's fried okra recipe and live it up in cornmeal fried lard lusciousness.

Mmmmmm.

And add it to stews and gumbos and other saucy things.

mmm....okra....

[identity profile] porcinea.livejournal.com 2006-04-17 01:58 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a great test for your garbage disposal.

[identity profile] epi-lj.livejournal.com 2006-04-17 07:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I see it most commonly in curries. You don't want to overcook it, as it gets mushy.