Spiced Okra Food

SPICED OKRA

Steps:

• In a heated wok, combine the cumin, coriander, turmeric, mustard seeds, and pepper flakes and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the mustard seeds pop, about 2 minutes. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes more, until the onion is soft and translucent. Turn the heat to high and add the okra.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until it is bright and gives slightly when pressed with the spoon, about 2 minutes. Serve with yogurt for dipping.

SPICED OKRA CURRY

Steps:

• Heat a large wok or frying pan over a medium heat. Add the oil, then the onions, cooking until soft. Stir in the okra. Add the tomatoes and chilli, then season. Mix well and keep stirring gently, taking care not to break up the okra. Okra releases a sticky substance when cooked, but keep cooking, stirring gently - this will disappear and the tomatoes will become pulpy, about 10 mins.
• Lower heat, add ground coriander and cook for another 5-10 mins. Add 2 tbsp water, cover and let simmer for another 4-5 mins. Sprinkle with coriander and serve with basmati rice or chapati bread.

SPICY ROASTED OKRA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Toss the okra with olive oil to coat.
• In a small bowl combine coriander, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper and salt.
• Toss okra with spiced salt mixture.
• Spread okra on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 12 to 15 minutes, or until tender, turning once.
• Serve immediately with lemon wedges (squeeze over each serving)!
• Makes four servings.

SPICED OKRA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a saute pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the okra, red pepper flakes, tomatoes, thyme and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Cover, decrease the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the okra is just tender, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

SPICY OKRA

Steps:

• Rinse okra in a colander under hot water.
• (Rinsing okra gives it a cleaner taste and texture.) Heat oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté onion, stirring until golden, about 3 minutes.
• Add tomatoes (including juice) and chile and boil, stirring until tomatoes are softened and liquid is reduced by half, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add okra and cook, gently stirring, until okra is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in salt and pepper and discard chile.

SPICED FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Mix together coriander, paprika, oregano, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In a large bowl, whisk together rice flour, semolina, and all but 1 teaspoon of spice mixture. Add okra; toss to fully coat. Shake excess flour mixture from okra back into bowl, and transfer okra to a plate.
• Add enough water to flour mixture in bowl to create a batter about the thickness of honey (you should have about 3/4 cup; you may need to add more water as you go along, as rice flour thickens quickly).
• Pour enough oil into a medium heavy pot to come about 1 inch up sides (about 4 cups). Clip a deep-fry thermometer to pot and heat oil over medium to 350°F. Working with a handful at a time, add okra to batter, turning to coat. Using tongs, lift out of batter and carefully add to oil.
• Cook, turning once, until golden brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet; sprinkle immediately with salt. Place in a 200°F oven to keep warm. When all okra is cooked, sprinkle with some of remaining spice mixture and more paprika. Serve with lime wedges.

CUMIN-SPICED OKRA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat oil in a dutch oven over medium heat.
• Saute onion for a few minutes until it begins to soften.
• Add garlic, jalapeno, and cumin and cook 1-2 minutes longer. Don't brown the garlic or it will get bitter.
• Add okra, tomatoes, and tomato juice. Salt and pepper to taste.
• You can add water to make a soupier dish, or leave it fairly dry. I add 1/4-1/2 cup.
• Cover and cook 5-10 minutes. Okra should soften and the juices will become quite thick.