Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Mediterranean-Style Okra and Tomatoes

Mediterranean-Style Okra and Tomatoes

Adding white beans to this classic braised dish makes for a quick main course

How about a Mediterranean holiday? Virtual, of course.

This Mediterranean-Style Okra and Tomatoes dish features garlic, thyme, and fresh basil. It’s basically a quick braise. Adding white beans makes it a complete vegetarian meal, perfect for weeknight dinner.

So we can’t travel to the Mediterranean? No worries. The flavors can still travel to our kitchens.


Mediterranean-Style Okra and Tomatoes

Recipe: Mediterranean-Style Okra and Tomatoes

Okra and tomatoes are a common pairing in cuisines throughout the world. It’s a popular dish in the southern part of the US (typically cooked with bacon or other pork). In Greece, it’s often cooked with lamb. In India, it’s typically a vegetarian dish flavored with curry spices.

We use frozen okra in this recipe because it’s good quality and convenient. (See Notes if you prefer to use fresh okra.) Frozen okra loses a bit of crunch when cooked, but that’s not a problem in a braise like this.
  
One cautionary note about okra: Do not overcook it. You want it to be tender, but still just a bit crisp. If you cook okra too long, the texture can become slimy and mucilaginous. We generally add okra to this dish near the end, to minimize the chance of overcooking.

Prep time for this dish is about 10 minutes. Cooking adds another 20 minutes or so.

This recipe yields 3 to 4 main-course servings.

Leftovers keep for a few days if refrigerated in an airtight container.

Ingredients
  • 1 medium onion
  • 3 garlic cloves (or to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon kosher salt for us; see Notes)
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes (we prefer the petite ones)
  • 1 15-ounce can white beans (we like to use cannellini)
  • 1 12-ounce package of frozen sliced okra (see Notes)
  • 1 big handful of fresh basil
Procedure
  1. Peel the onion, cut it in half, then cut it into thin slices. Set aside.
  2. Peel the garlic, then cut it into thin slices or mince it finely. Set aside.
  3. Place a large frying pan on medium stovetop heat. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil. When the oil is heated (about 15 seconds, it’ll shimmer), add the sliced onion. Season to taste with salt. Sauté the onion until it becomes translucent but doesn’t brown (about 5 minutes). Add the chopped garlic and sauté for one minute. Add the red pepper flakes and dried thyme, stir to combine, then cook for about 15 seconds.
  4. Meanwhile, open the can of diced tomatoes.
  5. Open the can of white beans and pour them into a strainer or colander to drain. Rinse off the gunk they’re stored in.
  6. After the red pepper flakes have cooked briefly (Step 3), add the diced tomatoes and white beans to the frying pan. Stir to combine, then cook at a simmer for about 10 minutes.
  7. Next, add the frozen okra to the frying pan (no need to thaw it first). Cook until just tender and cooked through – 5 or 6 minutes (about half that time if using fresh okra). Do not overcook (see recipe headnote).
  8. Meanwhile, wash the basil and shake it dry. Mince the basil finely (we usually roll several leaves at a time into a cigar shape and cut it into chiffonade). You may want to reserve a few basil leaves for garnish. 
  9. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Right before serving, stir in the chopped basil. 
  10. Serve, garnishing each plate with a basil leaf if you wish.
Mediterranean-Style Okra and Tomatoes

Notes
  • Want brighter flavor? Stir in a tablespoon or so of freshly squeezed lemon juice right before serving.
  • You can prepare this dish partially ahead of time (through Step 6). When ready to finish, bring the tomato mixture to a simmer, then proceed with Step 7 (adding the okra).
  • We prefer to use sliced (not whole) frozen okra in this dish. It cooks more thoroughly – and it’s easier to eat.
  • If using fresh okra, look for smaller pods: They’re generally more tender and cook a bit faster. The okra you use should be as fresh as possible, so consider purchasing it from a farmers’ market. Fresh okra will be bright green. If the okra has begun to darken, we’d skip it. To use fresh okra, just wash it, trim the stem ends, and cut it into slices.
  • If you have frozen okra on hand, this dish becomes a convenient pantry recipe. Particularly if you also have a basil plant.
  • Speaking of basil: We don’t think the dried stuff is worth using. If you can’t get fresh basil, substitute parsley or cilantro instead.
  • Want to mix up flavors a bit? You could add some capers, black olives, and anchovies to this dish. Or dried cumin, coriander, and paprika. Maybe a bit of cinnamon as well. Or curry spices. 
  • You can substitute meat for beans in this dish, although that will lengthen the cooking time considerably.
  • Okra probably originated in South Asia (no one really knows for sure), then spread through Arabia to parts of the Mediterranean and into Africa, particularly West Africa. From there, it spread to the New World.
  • Although we treat okra as a vegetable, it’s really an edible pod of the mallow family. It’s high in dietary fiber and low in calories.
  • We use kosher salt in cooking. It’s less salty by volume than table salt (the crystals are larger and more irregular, so they pack a measure less tightly). If using table salt, start with about half the amount we suggest. But always season to your taste, not ours.
Mediterranean-Style Okra and Tomatoes

Okra-Homa

“So glad you finally made this dish,” said Mrs Kitchen Riffs. “It’s about time.”

“No, it’s about basil,” I said.

“That was herbaceously bad,” said Mrs K R.

“So it cannellini get better!” I said.

“Pun-ditry is perilous,” said Mrs K R. “Don’t gar-licking for trouble.”

Guess I better mallow out.

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Zucchini and Chickpea Stir-Fry
Or check out the index for more

72 comments:

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

John, I have never cooked with okra. I have to try your recipe , it looks healthy and easy to make. Thank you and stay safe.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, outside of the south in the US, okra isn't as popular as it should be. Probably most used in gumbo. Bet you'll like it -- just remember not to overcook it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Mae Travels said...

Okra is only rarely on my mind, and mostly in African or Louisiana recipes. This is an interesting departure from what I am accustomed to doing.

be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, okra is one of those sleeper veggies that once you start looking for it, you'll be surprised how prevalent is. Love it in Indian curries! And this dish, too, of course. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

I haven't had okra in years--this dish looks tasty!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, it IS tasty! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Angie's Recipes said...

I always love the little cute veggie okra. This looks so fresh and tasty, John. Thanks for sharing another wonderful recipe with us.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, okra looks great, doesn't it? And we really like its flavor. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Anne in the kitchen said...

We grow okra in the summer and eat it fairly often. Since I am severely southern the jury is still out on this I'm my mind. I will try if before the okra stops producing.

Susan said...

This is genius as I frankly had no idea what to do with okra I grew this year other than bread and fry! I discovered some Indian dishes and have added to stir fries. Can’t wait to add this to my okra arsenal ! I pickled the last little bunch alongside my cucumbers and a few jalapeños. Since harvest time is drawing to an end it’s good to know you used frozen with success.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, I'd be curious to hear what you think of this. Really different from the way that I'd guess you typically cook okra. Good, though. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Susan, I wouldn't use frozen okra for breading and frying, but if you cook it quickly like this it works well. Or frozen is great in gumbo. BTW, fried okra is terrific, isn't it? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Healthy World Cuisine said...

This is a lovely dish John as a main, side or anything in between. I know some people are not okra lovers but we are. This recipe needs to get on our menu plan.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, okra is good stuff, isn't it? And it's great in a dish like this when it's lightly cooked (not overcooked). Thanks for the comment.

Debra Eliotseats said...

I wish I had grown some okra this year. Lovely seasonal dish! I miss the farmers markets but may have to brave it to get some okra!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Debra, we have a farmers market pretty close to us that isn't too, too crowded. So that's where we get ours. Frozen,though, for this dish because the frozen works pretty well. Thanks for the comment.

savorthebest said...

This looks great, I don't recall seeing frozen okra in our grocery store but it does sound so convenient.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pat and Dahn, okra grows best in really warm(hot!) weather, so you may not have much of a local supply. But check out the frozen veggies. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Eha said...

There are but few ingredients difficult to access in Australia . . . okra seems to be one of them. Have cooked with it, mainly trying Louisiana recipes but homework is needed to appreciate . . . meanwhile yours looks like a beautifully fresh and colourful offering !

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eha, okra would probably grow pretty well in Australia (it loves sun, and your have plenty of that in the summer), but I'm not surprised it's not that popular a veggie. Can be hard to find in the US too (outside of the freezer case!). Thanks for the comment.

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

Haha love your conversation with you and Mrs. Kitchen Riffs :) Hilarious!
Love this dish!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, we do enjoy writing those endings. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Priya said...

okra is our staple veggie. We eat okra a lot. This mediterranean style is something our family will love.
love your photos john.

Sherry's Pickings said...

oh dear oh dear you have me here! i don't like okra and i don't like tomatoes. but i do love beans!!:) Love your fun riffs with the Missus.

Natalia said...

You take such beautiful photos, I love these colors! I have never tried okra, but this must be yum☺

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Priya, there's SO much you can do with okra, isn't there? Hope you like this! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, hey, we can't all like everything! That's one of the reasons why we do those endings -- if you don't like the recipe, you might like those. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Natalia, we LOVE colorful food! As you can tell. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Marcelle said...

John, we love okra! I make a warm dish similar to this with okra, tomatoes and corn, but I've never added beans. This will be a new spin for us, and we will definitely try this beautiful dish!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marcelle, okra and corn are terrific together! Bet you'll like okra with beans, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Raymund said...

That looks so vibrant, great side dish to anything meaty

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Raymund, it is! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Let's Curry said...

John,
I have never cooked okra beyond a curry and a stir fry. I love tomatoes and beans and your Mediterranean flavours have just set the mood wanting to make this. Fabulous post. I learn so much from your blog. Thanks and loved those Mrs.Kitchen Riff's lines too!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Hasin, this is definitely a different way to use okra. It's really good stuff. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Chef Mimi said...

I've never been big on okra, but I imagine fresh out of the garden would make a huge difference. I usually roast them, which is also good. Really a pretty dish.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mimi, I've never had roasted okra! Sounds wonderful. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I'd serve this yummy recipe as a side dish! I need to shake up my menus and this is perfect!

Jeff the Chef said...

Oh my God, "mucilaginous!" Thanks for introducing me to my new favorite word. And that is indeed a great way to describe overcooked okra.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, this is definitely something different. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, long-cooked okra is good in gumbo, but that's about its only use. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Cocoa and Lavender said...

Okra has just returned to the late summer market - and I noted we still have some frozen form the spring. This looks great, especially with the addition fo the beans. This will be nice for one of our lunches this week.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, okra is so tasty, isn't it? Not nearly as popular as it should be! Thanks for the comment.

Balvinder said...

A great dish, John! I love okra in everything.

Rahul @samosastreet said...

My wife loves okra, i am sure she is going to love this recipe. We have just started using white beans in our curry, is cannelleni and large lima beans same

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Balvinder, okra is such good stuff, isn't it? Love its flavor! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rahul, white beans are basically more like kidney beans -- lima beans are quite different. But lima beans might work in this -- interesting idea. Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

Although I like okra, I can't say it's ever something I crave. This recipe definitely has me doing a change of heart on that. ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, we don't eat okra all that often, but when we do, always wonder why we don't make it more! It's good stuff, when properly cooked. :-) Thanks for the comment.

R's Rue said...

I love okra.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi R, it's good, isn't it? And really lovely in this dish. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Valentina said...

Virtual or not, I'll always be in for a Mediterranean holiday involving beautiful food like this! :-) ~Valentina

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Valentina, going to be awhile before we can travel, alas, so we'll have to do it through our stomachs. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ron said...

Well John, being raised in the Southern US, okra and tomatoes are a comfort food for me. We only see frozen here, so that would be our way to roll. I love this new version. A must try and soon...

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ron, okra and tomatoes are great together! Bet you'll enjoy this riff on that classic combo. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

I'm an okra fan and have made something similar. However, I don't think I could have come up with the word"mucilaginous" on my own! GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, that's a good word, isn't it? SO descriptive. Too descriptive, maybe. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Heidi | The Frugal Girls said...

This would make such a fabulous meatless Monday entree... rich and savory with so much hearty flavor!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Heidi, even though we eat meat a lot, we probably eat meatless much more often. Monday or not. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Merryn@merrynsmenu said...

How delightful and healthy I have never cooked okra well but you have perfected it in this dish which is so Mediterranean. How pretty and tasty.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Merryn, okra is good stuff! Do have to be careful cooking it, though. Thanks for the comment.

handmade by amalia said...

A slice of good bread, a glass of wine, and this would make a lovely lunch.
Amalia
xo

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

What a great way to use and enjoy okra! This looks like a lovely dish.

Eva Taylor said...

I did a photoshoot several years ago and the client wanted the interesting shape of okra, I’d never used it previously. What an unpleasant surprise, the slime was revolting. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to stomach it since, but I certainly give this a try if you’re offering.
Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amalia, it would! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amy, the flavor of the okra really shines in this! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eva, okra CAN be really unpleasant if overcooked. It does have a great shape, though, doesn't it? Thanks for the comment.

Kelly | Foodtasia said...

If you can believe it, John, okra with tomatoes is one of my kids' favorite dishes! Love the addition of the cannellini beans!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelly, I can believe it -- they pair so well. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Susan said...

I just prepared your recipe and it's delicious! I'm vegan and loved it with the beans, while my omnivore husband crisped up some prosciutto which he added to his portion. I didn't have enough fresh okra, so I added two shishitos and cut the tomato portion in half. Fire roasted ones were great. We ate it over farro. A great meal. Next year...more okra! This winter I'll make it with frozen.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Susan, glad you enjoyed it! And I like the idea of adding crispy prosciutto. :-)

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

I love the ingredients in this dish. I has been a long time since I have eaten okra. I am going to have to give this one a try.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, we don't eat okra that often, but always enjoy it when we do! Thanks for the comment.