When you think of okra, do you think slime? I do, and then it’s followed by a “blech”. However, I’ve always liked fried okra. Well, okay, I’ve always liked just about fried anything, but okra, breaded and deep fried till crispy, then coated in ketchup? Yes, that is the bomb, and don’t worry, when I drown it in ketchup, I use a fork. Usually, it’s sharing a plate with chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, but we’re not going there anymore. (except on super secret, highly illicit food fantasy binges). So, I tried roasting okra because, as you may or may not know, I’m not a veggie fan. Well, I am now. This diet requires 4 cups (or at least as much as I can muster) a day. I LOVE okra. There, I’ve said it to the universe.
Here’s what I do:
Preheat oven to 350
Chop okra cross-wise as if you were going to deep fry (sigh)
Spray a cookie sheet with olive oil
Throw on the okra, and try to spread those slimy buggers so there’s one layer
Sprinkle with sea salt (or Ideal Protein Salt)
Put in oven for 15 or more minutes, until they’ve shriveled and look and feel crunchy
Taste for salty accurateness, add more if needed
Scrape into a bowl and dig in with those fingers.
“Look Mom, no slime!!” Enjoy!
August 26, 2014 at 10:23 pm
Really? I’m also trying to eat more veggies…I have never had okra…is it REALLY worth trying? Like popcorn kinda good? 😉
Wishful thinking?
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August 26, 2014 at 10:30 pm
I do think so. I don’t like strong tasting veggies, or mushy ones. To me, with enough salt, and a bit crunchy, it’s really pleasant. I look forward every day to eating my okra. Gosh that sounds like someone else talking!!
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August 26, 2014 at 11:37 pm
With an endorsement like that I will have to give it a try!!! 🙂
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August 26, 2014 at 11:44 pm
fingers crossed that you like it!
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August 26, 2014 at 10:31 pm
Oh wow you’ve totally convinced me! I saw some nice okra at the farmers market this weekend and went back and forth but ended up not buying it, I guess I should have! My latest revelation was when I cooked lunch today, it turns out that boiling fresh lima beans for 20 minutes with some garlic and then mashing them taste exactly like mashed potatoes. Who knew? I’m excited to try it with dried lima beans to see if it is as addictively good as with fresh.
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August 26, 2014 at 10:34 pm
Maria,
Wow! Definitely didn’t know that about lima beans. I can’t eat legumes right now, on Ideal Protein, but I’ll store that tip away in the memory banks. Woops, overdrawn! I’ll be able to revisit this post though!
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August 26, 2014 at 10:56 pm
Ahhh oops I don’t actually know anything about ideal protein, I’d just guessed since beans are protein that you could eat them, lol. Oh well. I could share the fact that I broke my potato chip habit by eating thinly sliced cucumbers with salt? Crunch crunch crunch yum. I still want some okra most of all now! 🙂
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August 26, 2014 at 11:24 pm
For some reason, I don’t like cucumbers, but I like Zuchinni roasted too. Weird huh? And celery gags me.
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August 26, 2014 at 11:26 pm
Alright youve convinced me. I will try this…one day.
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August 26, 2014 at 11:33 pm
I’m not kidding. The key is salt, and making it semi crunchy so it’s not slimy!
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August 27, 2014 at 12:58 pm
Never had okra before. After this post, I may just give it a try!
When is your knee op?
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August 27, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Yay! I forget that it is sort of a “southern U.S.” Favorite! Knee? Tomorrow !!
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August 27, 2014 at 3:28 pm
I like veggies a lot but with IP there’s a limit or ban on at least have of my favs – tomatoes, squash, onions, carrots, green beans, brussell sprouts, beets – so I am a broccoli, mushroom, celery, zucchini, bell pepper girl. I started roasting broccoli like crazy and I love the flavor. I thought it was harder to do than it is – Looking forward to trying out the okra. I also have been prepping the roast by combining olive oil and the seasonings directly with the broccoli and not just spraying the pan. I bet I’m over-consuming the olive oil!
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August 28, 2014 at 1:00 am
Agreed! Try the okra! I like to take brussells sprouts and peel the leaves off and roast them too! I wouldn’t worry too much about the olive oil because you’re totally kicking butt!
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August 28, 2014 at 1:25 am
I’ve looked for okra in my area and I’m still on the hunt after 4 grocery stores :O( I will find it and I will try this :O)
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