Anyone cooks Okra? (bhindi/ladies finger)

[Monique]

I am cooking for my parents tonight, and I want to surprise them with Okra, which is an unknown vegetable in The Netherlands.

I actually used to make it for myself, but I forgot what I used to put inside [s(] usually just whatever I had in my fridge.

I guess I will just fry it with some pineapple.. any other ideas?

[dduardo]

what about these references - http://mvf.neurophys.wisc.edu/ravi/okra/#recipes

http://southernfood.about.com/library/weekly/aa081401b.htm

http://www.recipesource.com/fgv/vegetables/okra/

With all the cooking threads popping up recently Greg should start a subforum in General all about food [:D]

[Kerrie]

okra rocks! my family is from NC and they make it in succotash..

[Monique]

Whoa, so many recipes..

How come it is a Southern food and readily available in the US? What are its origins?

[Kerrie]

i believe that okra grows very well down in the southeastern region of the usa...and it's soooo yummy...

i make my okra succotash like this:

1 can corn, drained (7.5 oz)
1-2 cups sliced cooked okra (or desired amount)
1 can lima beans, drained (7.5oz)
1 can stewed tomatoes (7.5 oz)
1 cup dry lentils
2 stalks green onion (or 1/4 cup red onion)
4 slices raw bacon
garlic powder or fresh minced garlic
cumin
3-4 cubes of beef bouillion
salt & pepper
4 cups of water

fry bacon with garlic & onion, set aside, drain excess grease, leaving enough grease for flavor

cook lentils in water with beef bouillin & cumin until half done

add corn, lima beans, okra, tomatoes to lentil mix, heat till boiling, turn down temp to simmer, cover

add bacon mix for last 5 minutes of simmering

serve over white rice if desired for a complete meal

[Zantra]

mmmm... southern friend okra... just like grandma used to make[:D]