The other day I was really excited to bring to the market the first harvested red okra from our gardens! I was really disappointed when no one dared to try the red okra! Comments were : What is that ? Red okra really? I have never seen red okra before and; Where is the green okra?
Since nobody purchased it I decided to take some home. I was determined to show that red okra could be delicious. The funny thing - It was also my first time trying red okra :)
What happened as I cooked it was surprising. As the pan started to heat, the red okra started transforming to the familiar green we all know! Take a look at the pictures I took while cooking red okra.
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| Red Okra before cooking |
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| Red okra after adding it to the hot pan for a couple of minutes |
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| cooked red okra! |
It was very fun to cook and it was really delicious!
The recipe I made was adapted from a recipe I found online.
Spiced Red Okra
This recipe is good as a side dish. Yields 3 servings.
Ingredients
- Red Okra 1 pint - Cut in rounds ( you could also use green okra)
- Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
- Coriander Seeds - 1/2 tsp
- Lime - 1/2 lime or more if you like it.
- Cayenne Pepper - 1/4 tsp
- Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil - I used grape seed oil but any oil you have available should work
Instructions
- Heat oil in a cast iron pan add cumin seeds and fry until they start to get brown.
- Add the okra and stir fry on medium heat about 1-2 minutes. When they start to change color add the juice of 1/2 a lime. This will take care of the slime.
- Add other spices and stir fry. cook for 2-3 minutes Cover the pan and let it cook for a couple of minutes ( 3-4 minutes). Open the lid and let it cook on high heat for a couple of more minutes on high heat until the okra has a green/ brown color. Make sure to keep stirring constantly to avoid the okra from burning or sticking to the pan.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
by Rosamar Torres, Programs and Communications Manager
