How to Cook Okra
Posted inFood & Cooking

How to Cook Okra

Okra is a healthy food which has an overabundance of nutrients. However, the slime sometimes causes people to be discouraged cooking and eating this vegetable. But there are several ways of preparing okra that will make it delicious and yummy.

HOW TO COOK OKRA FRENCH FRIES

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • ½ cup flour or fine cornmeal
  • seasoning to taste
  • 1 lb fresh okra (cut into half-inch pieces)

Instructions

  • Use flour in dredging okra.
  • Deep fry in hot fat until okra turns light brown.
  • Drain excess oil using paper towels.
  • Use your favorite seasoning for flavor.
  • Serve right away. Makes 4-6 servings.

HOW TO COOK OKRA FRITTER-FRIED

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 5 cups thinly sliced okra (thawed if frozen)
  • 2 eggs (well beaten)
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 cup flour
  • 3 tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. salt

Instructions

  • Mix flour, salt and baking powder then sift the mixture.
  • Mix the milk and eggs then pour into the flour mixture. Mix thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth. Add the sliced okra then lightly mix.
  • Into deep hot fat, drop spoonfuls of the mixture and fry until the color turns golden brown.
  • Drain excess oil using paper towels.
  • Serve right away. Makes 6-8 servings.

HOW TO COOK OKRA CASSEROLE WITH ONIONS

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 small onion (chopped)
  • 2 cups okra (sliced)
  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • 2 tbsp. margarine or melted butter
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup buttered bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
  • ½ tsp. pepper
  • ½ tsp. salt

Instructions

  • Mix all the ingredients and reserve the cheese and ¼ cup bread crumbs for toppings.
  • Place in a 1.5qt casserole which is lightly greased. Bake for 30 minutes in a 350 degrees oven.
  • Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bread crumbs on top then bake for another 5 minutes.
  • Serve while hot. Makes 4 servings.

HOW TO COOK OKRA CREOLE

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 2 fresh tomatoes (coarsely chopped)
  • 1 clove of garlic (minced)
  • 1 small onion (minced)
  • ½ small green pepper (minced)
  • 2 dozens young tender okra pods
  • 2 tbsp. butter or bacon drippings
  • 1/8 tsp. pepper
  • ½ tsp. salt

Instructions

  • Trim the ends of the okra pods. For about 6 minutes, sauté garlic, green pepper and onion in butter.
  • Add the okra, tomatoes then season to flavor. Simmer until the okra is tender, takes about 10 minutes.
  • Serve. Makes 6 servings.

HOW TO COOK GUMBO OKRA

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 can tomatoes or 4 fresh tomatoes (peeled)
  • 1 large onion (chopped)
  • 1 lb. okra (cut into 1/2 in. pieces)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Sauté the onion and okra then add the tomatoes. Add seasonings for flavor.
  • Cover and cook for 25 minutes over low heat. If needed, just add water.

HOW TO COOK SOUTHERN GUMBO OLD-FASHIONED STYLE

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 2 cups okra (fresh and sliced)
  • 1 cup green limas
  • 1 cup corn
  • 2 or 3 small slices salt pork (or substitute bacon)
  • 6 tomatoes (quartered)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Sugar (to taste)

Instructions

  • In a large pan, fry the salt pork (or bacon) over medium heat. Continue until most of the oil is already gone.
  • Add ¾ cup water, limas and corn. Stir occasionally while cooking for about 10 minutes.
  • Add the tomatoes and okra then season to taste. Cover and simmer with the temperature reduced. Stir occasionally while cooking for 30-40 minutes.
  • This can be served as a separate vegetable dish or with rice. Makes 4 servings.

HOW TO COOK SAVORY OKRA WITH TOMATOES

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 1 no. 2 can tomatoes
  • 3 cups okra (½ inch slices)
  • 3 tbsp. bacon drippings
  • 1 envelope dry onion soup mix
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tsp. sugar

Instructions

  • In a heavy saucepan, combine all the ingredients. Stir constantly until it comes to a boil.
  • Cover and let it simmer for a period of 15-20 minutes. Occasionally stir the mixture.
  • Serve. Makes 8-10 servings

HOW TO COOK OKRA AND CORN SCALLOPS

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 can corn (drained)
  • 2 lbs. fresh okra
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¼ lb. sharp cheese (grated)
  • 4 tbsp. butter
  • 2 tbsp. flour
  • 1 cup fine dry bread crumbs
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Fry the okra for 10 minutes while frequently stirring. In a greased baking dish, arrange the corn and okra in layers. Use pepper and salt to season each layer.
  • In a saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the flour then stir until you have a smooth paste. Pour in the milk and constantly stir while cooking until the mixture is thickened. Put in the cheese then stir until melted thoroughly.
  • Pour the mixture over the okra and corn layers. Use the bread crumbs to sprinkle on top.
  • Set oven to 350 degrees. Bake until browned and bubbly.
  • Serve. Makes 4 servings.

HOW TO COOK OKRA ETOUFFE

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • ¼ cup cracker crumbs or crushed potato chips
  • 1 medium green pepper (chopped)
  • 1 cup chopped canned tomatoes
  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • ¼ cup cooking oil
  • 3 cups okra (sliced)
  • Red pepper to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a greased casserole, spread the okra and cover with green pepper, onion, tomatoes, seasonings and oil. Use foil to cover loosely. Set the oven to 400 degrees then bake until tender, usually takes an hour. Occasionally stir.
  • Remove the foil used as cover. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top. Bake again until color turns light brown.
  • Serve. Makes 3-4 servings.
Tags: