Learn to prepare dinner okra with this information on okra well being advantages + 5 tips about the right way to use okra within the kitchen, full with wholesome okra recipes.

What’s Okra?

Rising up in Arkansas, my mother cherished okra, and cooked it as usually as she may get her palms on it. Certainly, chances are you’ll know okra from its starring function in traditional Southern delicacies, equivalent to gumbo, however this slender inexperienced vegetable has a bigger story to inform of its origin. Native to southern Ethiopia, this historic veggie was first cultivated by the Egyptians within the twelfth century B.C.E. It will definitely made its strategy to India, Brazil, China, and different international locations in Africa to change into a cherished ingredient in conventional dishes. A part of its bittersweet story consists of the transport of okra to North America by slave merchants, the place it flourished within the South. In the present day, okra is beloved all around the world with completely different monikers, together with woman’s fingers, gumbo, and bhindi. Starring in lots of worldwide dishes, okra just isn’t solely culturally important, it’s additionally a dietary powerhouse.

Well being Advantages of Okra 

A part of the Mallows (Malvaceae) household, okra (Abelmoschus esculentum) is said to cotton, hollyhock, and hibiscus. This vegetable is a tropical herb cultivated for its inexperienced seed pod, which is eaten as a vegetable. When lower, it secretes a mucilaginous liquid answerable for its “slimy” texture, which can also be a pure thickener in dishes like soups and stews, together with gumbo. It’s this very texture that could be behind its distinctive well being profile, as this mucilage can assist decrease blood ldl cholesterol, enhance insulin sensitivity, and supply anti-hypertensive and anti-cancer exercise. General, the several types of fibers in okra contribute to coronary heart well being and a wholesome intestinal tract, in keeping with analysis. Low in energy—a one-cup cooked serving offers 16% DV (Each day Worth, primarily based on 2,000 energy/day)—okra additionally delivers a duo of bone-protecting vitamin Okay (80% DV) and calcium (12% DV), and a trio of B nutritional vitamins important for changing meals to gas—thiamin, vitamin B6 (each 14% DV), and folate (18% DV). Okra comprises a variety of phytochemicals with antioxidant exercise too. Particularly, okra is sweet for pregnant girls as a result of its good supply of folate, which is vital for fetal improvement throughout being pregnant. Okra additionally has been proven to have a hypoglycemic impact, which helps decrease blood glucose ranges, making it helpful within the administration of diabetes. 

*Observe: g=gram, mcg=microgram, mg=milligram, IU=Worldwide Models, DV=Each day Worth, primarily based on 2,000 energy/day

Learn how to Use Okra within the Kitchen

Accessible yr spherical in lots of markets, okra is a hot-weather vegetable, so it’s greatest in the summertime months. It’s also possible to discover frozen okra in most supermarkets, providing a simple, handy manner to make use of okra in cooking. When deciding on recent okra, youthful is healthier. Select smaller (now not than 4 inches) pods which can be brightly inexperienced and exhausting when squeezed to keep away from robust okra. Ideas ought to snap off, like a inexperienced bean. Refrigerate, unwashed, in a paper bag and use inside a number of days. Slice recent okra into cooked recipes, or used thawed, sliced frozen okra. Okra is flexible in lots of recipes, from soups and stews to curries and bean dishes. It’s additionally scrumptious by itself, breaded and pan-fried, grilled, sauteed, or roasted. Try these high methods to make use of okra, in addition to okra recipes under.

High 5 Methods to Use Okra + Okra Recipes

1. Bread and Pan Fry Okra

One of many best, traditional methods to get pleasure from recent okra is to easily roll it in seasoned flour or cornmeal and pan fry it in sizzling vegetable oil till crisp, golden, and tender. Then eat it on up as a favourite crispy appetizer or facet dish. Serve it with my housemade Vegan Ranch Dressing as a scrumptious dip.

2. Make a Traditional Bean Okra Dish

Comply with Southern inspiration and prepare dinner recent or frozen okra with beans, equivalent to within the traditional vegetarian recipe for Hoppin John that options black-eyed peas. Thought of fortunate, get pleasure from this recipe in New years or all yr lengthy.

3. Grill or Roast Okra

Grilling or roasting younger okra provides it a crisp (not slimy!) texture, and delicate caramelized taste. Simply marinate in a lemon olive oil French dressing, and prepare dinner on a sizzling grill (turning to prepare dinner), or place on a baking sheet and roast at 375 F till golden and tender. Serve grilled or roasted okra as a vegetable facet dish, over salads and grains, or layered in sandwiches.

4. Use as a Thickener in Soups and Stews

You may seize that sliminess in okra and put it to good use in soups, chili, stews, and gumbos, as it can assist thicken the combination, in addition to enhance taste and vitamin. Strive including okra to my traditional recipe for Curried Leek Vegetable Soup for starters.

5. Characteristic In a Plant-Primarily based Entree

Many conventional plant-based entrees characteristic okra, such because the Indian dish bhindi masala, Chinese language okra chili stir-fry, or Brazilian okra with beans and rice. It’s also possible to get pleasure from traditional Southern American okra dishes, equivalent to this pink bean jambalaya or stewed okra and tomatoes served with cornbread.

Be taught extra about high methods to prepare dinner with plant meals in these guides: