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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,

at

16 comments:

  1. Manju ModiyaniSeptember 17, 2013 at 9:15 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  2. Liz That Skinny Chick Can BakeSeptember 17, 2013 at 10:12 AM

    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 :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouseSeptember 17, 2013 at 11:44 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  4. ReviSeptember 17, 2013 at 11:50 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  5. LisaSeptember 17, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Heather @ The Beating HearthSeptember 17, 2013 at 12:03 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  7. tdSeptember 17, 2013 at 2:29 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kay G.September 17, 2013 at 2:29 PM

    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!! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. JunkchiccottageSeptember 17, 2013 at 4:22 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  10. Amy of While Wearing HeelsSeptember 17, 2013 at 6:42 PM

    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 :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tina@WhatWeKeepSeptember 17, 2013 at 8:22 PM

    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. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. NanaDianaSeptember 18, 2013 at 1:13 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  13. Danni@SiloHillFarmSeptember 18, 2013 at 3:22 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  14. must love junkSeptember 18, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  15. Carla from The RiverSeptember 18, 2013 at 1:46 PM

    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.:-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderSeptember 18, 2013 at 5:27 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete

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