– Serves 4 as a side
By Lidija Abu Ghazaleh
Okra is a funny ingredient, isn’t it? Because it’s kind of fuzzy and kind of slimy, it’s a very underrated vegetable – but that’s mostly because it’s not treated right.
When allowed to slow cook or stew, okra loses the fuzziness and sliminess and becomes a really beautiful, unique addition to a meal. But don’t overcook it or it will go sloppy! You want a little texture and bite to it.
In this recipe, okra is perfectly at home in its juicy coriander and tomato stew.
Ingredients:
- 500 grams okra – cleaned, any hard bits of stems removed
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 small bunch coriander (about 3 tablespoons) – cleaned
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (optional)
- 600 grams peeled chopped tomatoes and their juice
- 1 can of chopped tomatoes (about 400 grams)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- A bit of water
Convert grams to pounds and ounces here
Directions:
- In a mortar and pestle, combine garlic, coriander and salt, pounding to make a rough paste. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, mince your garlic, and finely chop your coriander, adding salt to the mixture.
- On medium heat, heat olive oil in a pot. Add the garlic/coriander mixture with the ginger. Sauté for about one minute until fragrant.
- Add the okra, and cook for about 30 seconds, shaking the pan to distribute the ingredients.
- Add the tomatoes (both fresh and canned), and stir gently. Add a bit of water so that the okra is almost covered (do not cover completely – some okra should be sticking out of the tomatoes).
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- Uncover after 15 minutes, and continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes or until the sauce has reduced and the okra is cooked through.
Do you have a diabetes-friendly recipe to share? Would you like to see it published here? Submit your recipe to info@diapointme.com. Don’t forget to include a link to your recipe (if published online), a high-res image of the final dish, and your full name and contact details.
Lidija Abu Ghazaleh: A passionate cook, writer & die-hard dreamer, Lidija dives into the depths of the culinary world to showcase the beauty and the magic that happens in the kitchen and beyond. She is a culinary storyteller who believes that food is one of life’s greatest pleasures and all about balance and moderation. She currently lives in Dubai with her husband and three beautiful children. You can find more of her inspiring recipes at Lidija’s Kitchen.
