Friday, June 27, 2014

Dare to try Red Okra!

Ingredient Highlight : Red Okra


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.



Red Okra before cooking

Red okra after adding it to the hot pan for a couple of minutes

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 
  1. Heat oil in a cast iron pan add cumin seeds and fry until they start to get brown.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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. 
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. 
Final thought : Dare to try new things you may be surprised to find whats out there!

by Rosamar Torres, Programs and Communications Manager

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