see.summer.okra

Hello blog.
Sorry I've been away... the World Cup is on and I've been pretty busy...
Have you ever spoke with someone you haven't heard from in a few months and just talking to them brings back a memory or a song in your head or a feeling??
Well... for me, it's usually food.
My friend Katie called me the other day just to catch up and chat.
I love talking to Katie. She has a way of just making me smile. After I got off the phone with her I had this incredible craving for okra and tomatoes.
Katie makes this dish (or at least has in the past) and for some reason just talking to her brought on an urge to prepare some for dinner... and that's what I did.
Okra- like many veggies, is in season from June till late September so now is the time to buy!

Okra is prepared in different ways and (I feel) that it is delicious no matter how it is served... pickled, fried, in stew... it's just delicious.

Fresh from the market. Bright and green with few blemishes.

Most (Southern) Okra and Tomato dish recipes call for bacon or bacon fat. And since we are fresh out of meat around here... I had to alter the recipe (only slightly)
1 lbs. Okra - cut into 1/4" pieces
1 lbs. fresh tomatoes (you can also use canned) - skinned, cored, and chopped
1 onion - chopped
1 bell pepper (we were fresh out of bell pepper on this night) - chopped
1 cup veggie broth (you can always replace this with chicken broth if desired)
1 - 2 cloves garlic - minced
1 - 2 jalapeno (depending on heat preference) - chopped
1 - 2 tbsp. butter (yep! butter, to substitute for the bacon fat)
fresh sprigs of oregano
salt and pepper Well seasoned cast iron skillet... this is crucial. OK, it's not crucial but it sure makes food extra tasty!!

Add the butter, onions, bell pepper, jalapenos and garlic into the hot skillet and let them mingle and chat for a while in the hot pan!
When the onion has turned a nice golden color, add the okra, tomatoes, and veggie broth. Cover and let simmer for about 30 mins.

Now if you have read this entire post... I will give my thanks by letting you in on an okra cookin' secret...
1 - 2 teaspoons sugar! Add it to the okra and tomatoes before you let them simmer. This will cut down on the common okra "slime".
Serve over a steaming bowl of rice and enjoy!
Thanks Ms. Katie