Best 4 How To Prepare Fresh Okra Bamia Before Cooking Recipes

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Okra bamia is a dish steeped in vibrant flavors, captivating textures, and a rich cultural heritage. Its roots can be traced back to the culinary traditions of West Africa, where it is known as "okro" or "bamia". Today, this delectable dish has made its way to kitchens around the world, captivating taste buds with its unique blend of bold spices, tender okra, and aromatic vegetables. To create an exceptional okra bamia dish, it is crucial to begin with fresh, high-quality okra. This step sets the stage for a culinary masterpiece that bursts with vibrancy and flavor.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

HOW TO PREPARE FRESH OKRA (BAMIA) BEFORE COOKING



How to Prepare Fresh Okra (Bamia) Before Cooking image

This is a way to prepare fresh okra before adding it to any recipe so that it doesn't become slimy while cooking. Original recipe from The Complete Middle East Cookbook by Tess Mallos.

Provided by UmmBinat

Categories     Gumbo

Time 35m

Yield 1 lb, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 3

1/2 cup vinegar (Greeks use red wine vinegar which is not halal)
1 lb fresh okra
2 tablespoons oil (if freezing) or 8 cups boiling water

Steps:

  • Wash well handling gently.
  • Trim stem end without cutting into pod.
  • Trim around top of stem attached to pod, removing a thin layer.
  • Remove fuzz under running water by rubbing pod gently with a nylon scourer. If okra is young there is no need to do this.
  • Spread out and leave until dry.
  • Place in a bowl and pour on vinigar tossing gently so that vinegar coats okra.
  • Leave for 30 minutes.
  • Drain and rinse well.
  • Dry and use as directed in recipes.
  • TO FREEZE.
  • Method 1.
  • Prepare as above and dry.
  • In a deep pan heat oil and fry okra for 5 miutes, tossing gently with a wooden spoon.
  • Cool and put into freezer bags, expel air, seal and label. Pack into freezer.
  • Method 2.
  • Prepare as above.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  • Have a bowl of ice water ready.
  • Place prepared okra into a frying basket and lower into boiling water.
  • Boil for 3 miutes, timed from when the water returns to a boil.
  • Lift out and place in ice water for 3 minutes.
  • Drain well, put into freezer bags, expel air, seal and label. Pack into freezer.

BAMIA (SWEET AND SOUR OKRA)



Bamia (Sweet and Sour Okra) image

Provided by Food Network

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound small okra pods
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup water

Steps:

  • Wash the okra and pat it dry with paper towels. Top and tail it, discarding any blemished or hard pods. Heat the olive oil in a heavy saucepan and saute the okra in the oil for 3 to 5 minutes, turning each pod once. Add the honey, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and water. Cover, lower the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes, adding more water if necessary. Serve hot.

BEEF AND OKRA BAMIA



Beef and Okra Bamia image

A simple but amazing Middle Eastern dish containing okra with tomato sauce and wonderful spices. For a vegetarian dish, you can choose to omit the steak completely. Serve with white rice.

Provided by najla

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

⅔ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon salt
1 pound beef top sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
½ large onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 (10 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 (10 ounce) package frozen okra, thawed
2 cups water
1 ½ tablespoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
2 teaspoons ground cumin
salt to taste
1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon salt over steak cubes; cook and stir meat in the hot oil with onion and garlic until meat is seared, about 5 minutes; reduce heat to medium; cook and stir until meat is browned, about 3 more minutes. Remove steak pieces and set aside.
  • Stir tomato sauce and tomato paste into same pot; mix in okra, water, coriander, white pepper, and cumin. Bring to a boil; season with additional salt. Reduce heat to low and simmer until okra is tender, 30 to 45 minutes; return pieces of beef to the bamia. Simmer until flavors are blended, about 10 minutes; garnish with slices of jalapeno pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 366.3 calories, Carbohydrate 12.4 g, Cholesterol 32.6 mg, Fat 29.1 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 16 g, SaturatedFat 5.1 g, Sodium 1707.3 mg, Sugar 6.1 g

BAMIA (BEEF & OKRA CASSEROLE)



Bamia (Beef & Okra Casserole) image

Make and share this Bamia (Beef & Okra Casserole) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by LikeItLoveIt

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h5m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 1/2 lbs okra
6 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
6 tomatoes, peeled,chopped
1 lb beef, ground
1 cup stock
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons plain yogurt
3 teaspoons sour cream
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Cut stalks from okra.
  • Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large saucepan.
  • Add okra, saute 6 minutes.
  • Drain sauteed okra on paper towels.
  • Discard oil, wipe pan with paper towels.
  • Heat 2 more tablespoons oil in saucepan.
  • Add onion and tomatoes, saute until heated through.
  • Add ground beef- cook, stirring occasionally until browned.
  • Add stock- bring to a boil.
  • Add garlic and salt.
  • Simmer until most of liquid has evaporated.
  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Brush a large baking pan with oil.
  • Stir yogurt, sour cream and white pepper into beef mixture.
  • Spoon half of the beef mixture over bottom of oiled pan.
  • Cover with okra, then with remaining beef mixture.
  • Sprinkle with remaining tablespoon oil.
  • Bake 50-60 minutes.
  • Garnish with tomato and lemon slices.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 942.6, Fat 88.6, SaturatedFat 34.9, Cholesterol 114.4, Sodium 641.1, Carbohydrate 25.2, Fiber 9, Sugar 9.5, Protein 15.4

Tips for Preparing Fresh Okra (Bamia) Before Cooking:

  • Choose the Best Okra: Select young, tender okra pods that are small to medium in size, with a deep green color and smooth, unblemished skin.
  • Wash Thoroughly: Rinse the okra pods under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.
  • Trim the Ends: Use a sharp knife to trim off the stem and blossom ends of the okra pods.
  • Cut into Desired Shape: Depending on your recipe, you can cut the okra pods into slices, rounds, or halves.
  • Soak in Salt Water (Optional): Soaking okra in salted water for 15-20 minutes can help reduce its slimy texture. However, this step is optional and not necessary for all recipes.
  • Dry Thoroughly: After soaking or cutting, use a paper towel or clean kitchen towel to pat the okra pods dry.
  • Cook as Directed: Follow the instructions in your chosen recipe for cooking the okra. Common cooking methods include sautéing, frying, grilling, roasting, or stewing.

Conclusion:

Preparing fresh okra (bamia) before cooking is essential for ensuring its optimal flavor and texture. By following these simple tips, you can easily clean, trim, and cut okra to suit your recipe. Remember to choose young, tender okra pods, wash them thoroughly, trim the ends, and cut them into the desired shape. Additionally, you can optionally soak the okra in salted water to reduce its sliminess. Once prepared, cook the okra according to your recipe's instructions to create delicious and enjoyable dishes.

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