Bring steamer pot of water to a boil. Yes, okra does make slime, called mucilage, but that doesnât mean that all okra recipes create a slimy mess. It helps to thicken the soup a little so itâs not too brothy. Rinse the okra thoroughly in cold water. How To Cook With Pig, Chicken And Cow Feet. While okra â a member of the mallow family, along with hibiscus and cotton â is praised for its taste and thickening qualities in soups and stews, many people refuse to eat it. Okra does have a substance inside it that acts as a natural thickener, and this is useful if you are making gumbo or another dish where the ingredients need to come together in a stew. © 2021 Food Republic. Add it to any good soup or gumbo for more body and delicious crunch. The slime okra is known for is called mucilage, and it's actually good for you. Many people believe that okra is naturally slimy, so they avoid cooking it. I'm not going to ask how you became an expert on the apparent distasteful taste of "poo" as you describe it. handful of okra per person; 2 tbsp rapeseed oil pinch of turmeric; pinch of chilli powder; Method. Check your email for a confirmation link. For this recipe, I only steam the okra ⦠Cover the dish and microwave fresh okra on high for approximately 5 to 6 minutes. 12 okra I didn't know anything about okra - so I was a bit curious when I realized how slimy the pieces were after straining. Our Top 10 Southern Okra Recipes: http://www.southernliving.com/food/10-best-okra-recipes Okra is THE Southern vegetable. Do not overcook, or it will be too soft. Bring the water to a boil, add 1/4 cup of cider vinegar, and allow the okra to boil for 3 to 5 minutes. Baby okras, for instance, have low mucilage than mature ones. Add a little more water and allow to simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse into the sauce. Thanks for sharing the post. What I did know, however, was that ripping off the leaves released a slimy, gooey substance that served as a soothing treatment for sunburn, according to my mother. 28 February 2020 | Share. Steamed Okra With Spicy Sambal Ingredients 1 Pack (250g) Okra, cut into smaller bite size (about 3/4 inch) Sambal Steamed okra recipe recipe. Bring steamer pot of water to a boil. When steamed or stewed, it can get slimy, but there are easy tips to minimize it and cook a delicious plate of food! The Africans brought it and the French Creole championed it as a culinary staple. Kio can be steamed, fried, and used in curries. Steam whole okra for 6 minutes or frozen okra pieces for … Grilling. This should take 10 minutes, as oil begins to rise to the top. And that makes the age of the okra doubly significant. Yes, bitterness is to ampalaya, as slime is to okra. Success! Toss with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, some soy sauce and ginger powder (or juice), very little salt to adjust, some garlic pods sliced and cook covered for about 5 minutes on low flame. Okra with Scallion, Lime, and Ginger recipe | Epicurious.com Ingredients. Ladies finger / okra / bendi. A foolproof technique for avoiding the slime when cooking with okra is to use it for what it’s good at: thickening. Here are five ways to cook okra without the slime. But if mucilage isn’t properly addressed, it just makes okra feel slimy. Since heat further activates the thickening of mucilage, batter and quick-fry chopped pods to a golden brown for a crunchy and slime-free (well, almost slime-free) appetizer or snack. Preparation 1. The fried okra is delicious and you can eat tomatoes with it. Yet another popular okra dish is this Sambal Steamed Okra which takes only about 20 minutes to prepare if you have Sambal Belacan on hand. Would you believe me it can be made in such ways that you wont even notice any slime? Place the okra in a microwave-safe dish with just the water that clings to the pods. When you apply heat, the slime just comes out more. Okra pods also can be eaten raw, steamed, roasted, sauteed, etc. A food hack for reducing sliminess is to soak the okra in vinegar before cooking it. Crecipe.com deliver fine selection of quality Steamed okra recipe recipes equipped with ratings, reviews and mixing tips. Many people I have heard do not like Okra just because it is slimy. By cooking the pods whole, quickly, and without liquid, you avoid the factors that make it slimy, and you can enjoy its fabulous flavor, enhanced by a touch of garlic, without any of the odd texture that keeps many away from this delicious and nutritious vegetable. What If I Don’t Have Leftover Rice? Okra will only become very slimy if it is cut, then cooked in water. Toss the okra with a small amount of oil, and roast it ⦠Why is okra so slimy? We were hanging out with a bunch of neighborhood dads and their kids and one of the things I was feeding Kenya was some steamed okra. Pick fresh and choose small ones. This works well for stews and gumbos, because the slime helps to thicken the broth, however as a side-dish slimy okra can be off putting. Water should not touch the bottom of the steamer basket. I've given okra to several other kids with great success and Kenya, well, he could eat it by the pound. Okra tends to gets a bad rap for its slimy texture. Frying eliminates some of the texture that people often object to and describe […], How Do You Fry Okra? As you may know, okra can become starchy once you cut them. When Okra is cut the sap is quite slippery. The directions said to boil for 3 minutes. The moral of the story is that just because you don't know or like a food doesn't mean your kids won't. Okra is one of South Carolinaâs greatest crops, but I hear you. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then tip in the okra, keeping the heat relatively high. To prevent this, follow the simple cooking methods above. I didn't know anything about okra - so I was a bit curious when I realized how slimy the pieces were after straining. How to cook okra. The little girl ate not one, not two, but six pieces of okra. But I can tell you that steamed okra is outstanding. Let them discover it for themselves. Folksy Steamed Okra Salad. Okra has an interesting texture. Steam the okra very briefly 4-6 minutes, checking frequently. The mucilage of okra has an advantage when stewing, making soups or gumbo, because it acts as a natural thickening agent. Okra cooked in a watery environment (steamed or boiled) releases more slime. Slice the okra and place the pieces flat. Once the okra can be easily pierced with a fork, it is ready! As it is probably one of the least liked vegetables next to ampalaya (bitter gourd), we’re writing this with a glimmer of hope that those who are not fond of it might give awesome okra a chance. Frozen okra: just hope all the water doesnât make it more slimy. Most people think slime or fried. Other than to reheat food, the microwave has a bad reputation. To cook okra, start by rinsing the okra of any dirt and then cutting the stems down to 1/2 an inch. Plus it’s a great short-cut. Trim the okra ends, then cut each one into 1cm pieces. Southern Pantry With Linda Carman. Steamed Okra Recipe: Whole Okra or Frozen Okra Pieces 1. Last night we broiled okra after tossing it with salt and olive oil. Put 1/2 pound whole okra into any style steamer over a pan. Inside King's Row, The Chef-Founded Coffee Brand. Despite the various health benefits, I initially couldnât get my husband to like it. Shake the pan so the okra ⦠Okra absorbs the flavor of the garlic sauce extremely well, resulting in a super fragrant and tasty dish. Allow to evaporate on heat, and add moisture absorbing masalas, or even besan (gram flour). Nutritionists and avid weightwatchers, however, offered various tips and tricks on how to make it less slimey as possible. Okra can make for a slimy mess on the palate if prepared improperly. How Do I Reduce the Slime When Cooking Okra? When steamed or stewed, it can get slimy, but there are easy tips to minimize it and cook a delicious plate of food! The one I am showing you today is my Mom’s recipe. Fresh and frozen okras are two different ball games. […] popcorn – every crisp bite called for another. Deep frying. Do they get slimy when you steam the pieces too? Okra is a Southern staple also known as âladiesâ fingersâ because of their long, finger-like shape. Okra, also known as âLadyâs Fingersâ is a hairy finger shaped vegetable that is mostly used in salads, stews, soups and a lot of seafood dishes. Steam whole okra for 6 minutes or frozen okra pieces for 3-4 minutes or until tender (you could also microwave frozen pieces for 2 minutes). You just might be surprised! We’ve been observing those two okra commandments — young okra only AND short cooking time — and we haven’t been disappointed yet. Have you ever tried steamed okra? Here are five ways to cook okra without the slime. Place the okra in a microwave-safe dish with just the water that clings to the pods. Get one of our Steamed okra recipe recipe and prepare delicious and ⦠In this way, how do you remove the stickiness from okra? When I was a kid, I remember a particularly interesting houseplant that my mother always kept in the bright, sunny corner of the laundry room. But there actually are a few techniques for reducing all that sliminess, that is if you're willing to give it a try. Because you use less water, the steamed okra tends to be less slimy and drier than okra that's steamed on the stovetop. Learn how to cook great Steamed okra recipe . Iâm a Southerner and we always fry okra. Summary Okra can become slimy when cooked. But loving fried okra doesn’t mean you like it steamed or in other dishes. It's key for thickening soups, gumbos, and stews. Get one of our Steamed okra recipe recipe and prepare delicious and healthy treat for your family or … It is used in Cajun and New Orleans cuisine to thicken such dishes as chicken gumbo. Though I like it just about any way â stewed with tomatoes, in gumbo, breaded and fried â I get it. At this point a gorgeous little girl with wide eyes walked up, staring at me and Kenya as to say "can I have some?". Learn how to cook great Steamed okra recipe . When Okra is cooked however the cooking water really gets super slimy. To steam okra: In a double boiler, heat water to boiling. Cover the dish and microwave fresh okra on high for approximately 5 to 6 minutes. It's really slimy. When you offer a meal to your child, try putting a veggie or fruit that you wouldn't expect them to enjoy and see what happens. Yes, okra does make slime, called mucilage, but that doesn’t mean that all okra recipes create a slimy mess. For more detailed ways to combat slime see this okra and collard green salad recipe post which features several tips for okra slime control. Why? The girl’s dad was right. Apart from the okra pods, even the leaves can be added in salads and can be added in other cooked veggies. Tips: â When stewed or cooked with liquid, okra can, indeed, get âslimy.â Quick cooking and dry heat, however, let the crisp, grassy flavor of fresh okra shine through â Do not cook Okra in iron, tin, copper, or brass pans. Enjoy Okra baby. I use it without any coating in my vegetable soup. Pour 1/2 cup water into the pan and bring to a boil. Kids tend to be much more open minded then we give them credit for when we don’t impose our dislikes on them. Okra's delicate grassy flavor is highlighted by this simple cooking method. Southern okra and tomatoes have a great flavor and texture and I can assure you â not slimy. 28 February 2020 | Share. Folksy Steamed Okra Salad. Believe it or not, the entire okra is edible. Okra Nutrition [Recipes & Infographic] Is to Keto, While okra for the low carb The Ketogenic Diet: keto friendly - This and tomatoes keto friendly - Aerospace Export Incorporated it is commonly known and keto diet tracker search and log over low-FODMAP diet. Also if a paring knife will cut thru the pod we donât toss away. 2. 2. But I tried it, and then tried it again, and though it took some getting used to, it is now among my favorite foods. Cooking okra without the slime can be hit or miss for the first time. Because you use less water, the steamed okra tends to be less slimy and drier than okra that's steamed on the stovetop. Fresh okra: Avoid covering the pan, as manisha suggests. Wash the okra under cool water to remove any dirt or debris. He finds okraâs slimy taste off-putting. As it is probably one of the least liked vegetables next to ampalaya (bitter gourd), we’re writing this with a glimmer of hope that those who are not fond of it might give awesome okra a chance. I just bought frozen okra pieces for the first time. High cooking temperature + short cooking time = least slimy okra. Scrub gently with a clean cloth, but be careful not to break open or bruise the pods. While okra — a member of the mallow family, along with hibiscus and cotton — is praised for its taste and thickening qualities in soups and stews, many people refuse to eat it. Made of sugar residues called exopolysacharrides and proteins called glycoproteins, mucilage’s viscosity increases when heat is applied. Don't post stupid shit. Wash uncut Okra under running water, and then pat it dry with a cloth towel before cutting. Thanks for sharing the post. Place into steaming basket over 1 to 2 inches of boiling water. Bring the water to a boil, add 1/4 cup of cider vinegar, and allow the okra to boil for 3 to 5 minutes. For a veggie with such a pretty nickname, okra has a bad reputation for being slimy. Put the okra pods in the freezer for 10 minutes before cutting or slicing. Be careful to not overcook the okra, as this will make it slimy and mushy. The sliminess that my husband dislikes is not quite noticeable. In fact, any cooking method that involves intense heat. What Is Natto And How Can You Make It At Home? Place the whole okra in the top of the ⦠The younger the okra, the less time it needs to cook. In order to retain the crunchiness and prevent the stickiness of the okra, I have decided to steam it before I mix them into the sambal. I didn't know anything about okra - so I was a bit curious when I realized how slimy the pieces were after straining. Dad A_ What's that green stuff?Me_ It's okra.Dad A_ What's okra?Dad B_ It's a vegetable that people eat in the south. In Malaysia, ladies’ fingeres are most often used in curries. This will prevent release of slime when sliced. 1) Freeze the Okra. Okra's delicate grassy flavor is highlighted by this simple cooking method. Photo:
rovingI on Flickr. This is how the conversation went_. The same clear goop that flows through its leaves, known as mucilage, is also found in okra pods. The bottom line. Next, place the okra in a large pot, add just enough water to cover the okra, and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt into the mix. There are many variations to the sambal dressing. But this steamed okra with garlic dish has become a frequent member of our dinner table. Crecipe.com deliver fine selection of quality Steamed okra recipe recipes equipped with ratings, reviews and mixing tips. Really, Okra is the simplest, easiest and cheapest soup to make. Itâs slimy. This was something I learned very recently. Southern okra and tomatoes have a great flavor and texture and I can assure you – not slimy. He finds okra’s slimy taste off-putting. Main thing to remember--DO NOT overcook! What cooking methods are suitable for okra? That's all it's about man. The plant to which I am referring is, as you may have guessed, the aloe vera plant. Here are five ways to cut down on slime when cooking this delicious Southern vegetable. That too in a steamed okra. It is really tasty and I cook this dish often because the guys enjoy it very much. I want my children to love it, if only because itâs cheap and plentiful in the summer. Your encounter with a stringy, boogery bowl of boiled okra in your early 20s was passed on like a family ghost story: I moved to the South absolutely convinced that okra was a slimy horror, barely a vegetable -- just another Southern embarrassment. Another best practice when preparing okra is to make nice with the deep-fryer. The mucilage of okra has an advantage when stewing, making soups or gumbo, because it acts as a natural thickening agent. In Season Now: Chanterelles, Butter Beans and Okra. Get Steamed Okra Recipe from Food Network. The charred bits on grilled okra highlight the grass-like flavor of these ⦠Add it to the stew and stir. Okra is a versatile vegetable if you like it. This is good for thickening dishes, but bad if you’re trying to saute sliced okra as a side. I’ve got a little story to go along with today’s recipe — which isn’t really a recipe, more of a feature -- but I felt like it made sense to post this today_, I was at the park recently with Kenya, playing and giving him dinner (yes, in spite of the choking risk, I do my fair share of chasing Kenya around during dinner time. But those who think slime are usually remembering boiled okra. It’s either that and being armed with the Heimlich Maneuver or he goes to bed hungry). We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. Okra's role as a thickener in soups and stews highlights a second crucial detail. Okra tends to gets a bad rap for its slimy texture. Chinese restaurants have perfected steamed rice, which is why it’s just easier and no stress to use for any fried rice dish. Yes, bitterness is to ampalaya, as slime is to okra. Both plants contain mucilage (a thick, syrupy substance) that when used smartly can be used to make chewy confections or thicken stews, such as gumbo. This is the most important step in making sure you have non-slimy Okra. 2) Soak the Okra in Any Type of Vinegar. If you trim it without piercing the pods and fry it, or roast it whole then it will crisp up on the outside while becoming tender inside. Ladies’ finger (okra/bendi) are green edible pods with a slimy sap. Other than to reheat food, the microwave has a bad reputation. But the absolute best way to eat okra is steamed. The Africans brought it and the French Creole championed it as a culinary staple. Popular in the southern United States, Japan, the eastern Mediterranean and India, Okra is an underrated vegetable elsewhere probably for two reasons: Some people donât like the slime and others arenât aware of all the wonderful things to do with it beyond Gumbo.The goo inside the pretty green pods is useful for thickening gumbo and other stews, but some are put off by it. Seemingly, the secret to okra’s health-promoting power is in its fiber and mucilage properties, which gives it that slippery – often described as slimy – texture. For this recipe, I only steam the okra pods for a short time. Get full Steamed Okra With Tomatoes Recipe ingredients, how-to directions, calories and nutrition review. Next, place the okra in a large pot, add just enough water to cover the okra, and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt into the mix. Me (to the little girl): Would you like some?Dad A_ She won't like it.Me (to Dad A): Can I offer her some?Dad A_ I'm telling you she won't like it, but ok! It is mostly grown in warm tropical climate. Cover the dish and microwave fresh okra on high for approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Okra is related to the mallow plant, which is where the original version of marshmallows came from. The result was superb! By cooking the pods whole, quickly, and without liquid, you avoid the factors that make it slimy, and you can enjoy its fabulous flavor, enhanced by a touch of garlic, without any of the odd texture that keeps many away from this delicious and nutritious vegetable. Its spiky leaves were fascinating, but I had no idea what it was. She didn’t like it....she loved it! 1 pound of whole okra pods; Kosher or sea salt, to taste; 1/2 cup of butter, melted; Instructions Rinse whole pods of okra and place into a steamer basket over a pot containing at least 1-1/2 to 2 inches of boiling water. When you cut it, okra releases a sticky substance. Steamed Okra Okra is one of those controversial vegetables. Craig 101 on July 12, 2010: We harvest okra weekly and while waiting for the next harvest, I wondered about the leaves. Don't say anything or draw attention to it. Itâs a versatile vegetable and one thatâs loaded with nutrition. Taking a look at Okra Slime. Even the most adventuresome eaters can have a few texture issues, and okra is guilty of having one heck of a gross texture. There were … Slice the okra and place the pieces flat. High cooking temperature + short cooking time = least slimy okra. But this steamed okra with garlic dish has become a frequent member of our dinner table. It's this characteristic that gives okra one of it's name GUMBO. Freezing: Okra can be frozen after being blanched whole for 2 minutes. 1. Rate this Steamed Okra With Tomatoes recipe with 1 lb package frozen whole baby okra, 3 large red ripe plum tomatoes, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic or garlic powder, fresh chopped basil or dried basil as desired, salt and pepper, optional: fresh grated parmesan cheese Stir frying. All Rights Reserved. The slimy okra occurs when you add water and boil. Craig. However, you can keep your okra slime-free and crunchy by following a few tips. Steamed okra recipe recipe. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Okra is a Southern staple also known as “ladies’ fingers” because of their long, finger-like shape. What’s the right way to cook with okra? They are also steamed and dressed in a spicy sauce or stir fried with chilies. 2. Quick-fried okra recipe. Steamed Okra Pods. You can also slice and fry it, but handle it as little as possible. More from the Food Scientist at Food Republic: Sign up for the best of Food Republic, delivered to your inbox Tuesday and Thursday. Some persons are turned off when you mentioned Okra because when it is cooked, it is slimy. Okra leaves and flowers are edible too. If you cook too little it will be raw. The so-called slime is something called mucilage, which comes from sugar residue and is great for, say, thickening gumbo, but not great when you're biting into a piece of sautéed okra … Nga choy / taugeh / bean sprouts For the same reasons this harmless pod is used to thicken soups and stews like gumbo. Okra, or Abelmoschus esculentus, is the edible seed pod of a tropical flowering plant in the mallow family. How Do I Reduce the Slime When Cooking Okra? Close the lid. Okra steamed with ginger soy sauce Just slit the okra lengthwise halfway. If the okra breaks open it will release the mucilaginous ingredient inside the pod, which will make the okra slimy. It's one of our favorites and is truly fast food!