The Vegetable Okra

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One thing I've learned from my many Indian friends is to wipe the okra (bhindi) with a paper towel to get it dry before any further preparation. It helps with the sliminess. The only way I will eat it is in a curry. There is a thread for Indian Aspies on WP. If anyone wants to conquer an okra fear, ask one of those folks for a bhindi recipe. Indians can make pretty much anything taste good!

When it's boiled, it's very slimy, but it tastes so good that I can make that trade-off. I put lots of butter on it.

To fry okra, first wash it well, then let it drain in the colander. Cut the ends off and slice it into pieces about a half inch long. Wash it again and let it drain, but not dry. It should be damp. Heat about an inch or inch and a half of oil in a large frying pan with lid. Pour some white corn meal in a bowl, add some salt and stir. Drop the damp, cut okra into the corn meal by handfulls to coat it, then drop into the oil. Put enough okra in the pan to fill it, without it having to touch. Cover and cook for about ten minutes, taking the lid off to stir occasionally. Take the lid off and let brown lightly. Drain on paper towels.

To boil okra, wash it and do not cut it at all. Put it in a big pot of water, add one stick of butter. Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer. Partially cover with a lid and cook it until it is slimy and falling apart. Drain in a colander, and eat it by holding the stem end and biting the entire piece off. Don't really try to chew it.

Frances

I'm pretty sure I've never eaten okra in my life.

I don't remember my mother ever forcing me to eat anything as a child. I was 15 and in reform school before I ever had things like liver (liked it) or brussel sprouts (hated it, could barely choke those nasty things down).

I love brussles sprouts. I like them with butter. Then again, I love cabbage too and they remind me of tiny cabbages that I can eat in two bites.

Frances

OliveOilMum, thanks for the recipes. The first one appeals, less sure about the second. Perhaps it's time to give okra another try!