Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Healthy Okra Recipe


I have lived in the South for quite a while...well, I have lived in the South only.
So obviously I was introduced to okra early on.
Fried okra, as well as fried everything else (pickles? Tomatoes?).

Fried food is a sometime food at our house, and considered a "special treat"
(aka if we eat out).
Back to the okra, last week I took care of a couple of cats for a friend of mine, setting off her home alarm, and not able to turn it off and
she gave me a bag of okra right from her huge garden. (think of an entire back yard transformed into a veggie garden).
I debated how to cook the okra.
I didn't want to mess with frying it, and I
needed something simple and quick.
So I decided to make them (almost) the same way I bake green beans.

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
Arrange the okra on a baking sheet, one layer only.
Drizzle olive oil over the okra.
Bake at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Middle rack.
When ready out of the oven, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
So all you need is:
      Fresh Whole Okra
      Sea Salt
      Cracked Black Pepper
      Olive Oil
***The reason why I add the salt at the end, is because salt will bring out the water in vegetables, making them softer and soggy.
My grandma taught me that.
So for a crispier okra, add it at the end.***




We enjoyed okra this way very much.
Super easy and delicious.
You know it was a hit when your husband has to tell the children that they can't just eat okra for dinner.

Our dinner consisted of fried okra, mashed potatoes/carrots combo (got to add some extra colored veggies in there), and our favorite


Stay Frugal,

16 comments:

Manju Modiyani said...

Hi Daniela! How are you?

I am your new follower. You have a lovely blog. Okra is a very common veggie in India...and one of my favorites too..

If you would like to take a look at 2-3 variations of Okra made in my home..do visit my food blog..

http://manjuzkitchen.blogspot.in/

and

http://andmylifegoeson.blogspot.in/
Happy to follow you :) Stay blessed

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

We don't see fresh okra around here very often, But if I locate some, this sounds like a delicious, healthy preparation. Thanks for the tip on salting last :)

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

I think I've never eaten okra. But now, I'd really like to try.

Revi said...

I'll definitely try this! I've also sent your recipe to relatives. :)
-Revi
P.S. - do you have a favorite Panna Cotta recipe? I love it and have made it using a few different recipes, none of which has been "just right."
-Goldilocks

Lisa said...

Sounds delicious. You are too funny. Isn't the way when you a the best intentions of helping someone and then causing problems like the house alarm. Great Post.

Heather @ The Beating Hearth said...

Uh huh....I am thinking I now need to try two things. Roasted Okra...and Meat-berry loaf? Yum! The only time I had okra it was suh-limey! And I know it's slimey, but I couldn't get over the texture. I am guessing roasted at a high temp might help with that.

td said...

Yum. I'm going to have to try this with my friend's garden fresh jumbo PURPLE okra. This is how I also cook my asparagus, but with a bit higher heat (500deg). Also delish. A little garlic doesn't hurt either.
Hope your friend wasn't charged for the false alarm. Total bummer. CTD

Kay G. said...

A gift of okra, you are so lucky.
I love the way you prepared this, I will tell my Dad.
He is 86 and has a huge garden. He knows how to fry it and it is not greasy. I don't know how he does it!
(I love to take photos of the okra blossoms, they are gorgeous!!)

You have a lovely blog! I am cheap too...I mean frugal!! ;-)

Junkchiccottage said...

We do not see Okra much up here in the North but the way you made it I now have a taste for that. I may have to try this. Yum.
Kris

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

I've never made okra before...actually, I've never even eaten okra before BUT I am a big believer in trying just about anything and so now I'll be on a quest to try okra :)

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

I don't like okra as a rule unless it's fried and covered in ketchup...that's the only way I would eat it as a child. I would never eat that now. LOL Your way looks appealing! Maybe I'll give it another try. :)

NanaDiana said...

LOL- My daughter and I are the only ones I know that like okra. It really is a southern dish! xo Diana

Danni@SiloHillFarm said...

I am not an okra fan, but I love roasted veggies, so maybe I'll become one now! Thanks for the tip on the salt on veggies. I didn't know that. I'm kind of interested in those potatoes with the carrots in them. So pretty!

must love junk said...

My grandma always made this when we'd visit her in Tenn...she fried it and I loved it! But your way looks yummy, too :)
Susan

Carla from The River said...

Hi,
I tried okra for the first time last summer. I liked it! We do not grow okra here in Wisconsin normally, but I have a friend who does. He shared some okra with us.
I will try your recipe.:-)

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Daniela,
You had a very clever Grandma that taught you some kitchen secrets!
Okra is such a healthy veggie and I prefer the way you prepared them instead of the fried (not so healthy...) version.
Your meat(berry)loaf is also a very healthy way of serving a delicious meal! Thanks for sharing your tips so generously with all.
Hugs,
Mariette