Nutritious & Tender Okra Tomato Stew (Turkish Style)
Nutritious & Tender Okra Tomato Stew (Turkish Style)
Easy Okra Tomato Stew Recipe – Healthy & Delicious!
Okra, with its unique ladyfinger shape, is a wonderful vegetable packed with beneficial compounds like mucin and pectin, which help lower cholesterol levels. Its potassium content aids in expelling waste from the body. Okra pairs exceptionally well with natto, enhancing protein absorption and contributing to digestive health due to their rich fiber content, making them effective for relieving constipation and potentially preventing colon cancer. To select the best okra: look for pods with dense fuzz, a deep green color, a straight shape, and distinct ridges. This Turkish-style stew combines the freshness of okra with the sweet and tangy flavors of tomatoes, creating a delightful dish that’s perfect as a main course or a side. Refer to the videos for **Okra Preparation (00:10)** and **Okra Tomato Stew (02:29)** to make this delicious recipe!
Main Ingredients- 2 ripe tomatoes
- 1 Korean green chili pepper (Cheongyang chili)
- 1/2 onion
- 4 fresh okras
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
Seasoning & Others- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of black pepper
- 400ml water
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of black pepper
- 400ml water
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, make a shallow cross-shaped cut at the bottom of each tomato. This will make peeling much easier.
Step 2
Blanch the scored tomatoes in boiling water for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until the skin starts to loosen.
Step 3
After blanching, briefly cool the tomatoes in cold water, then carefully peel the skin starting from the cut edges. The skin should come off cleanly.
Step 4
Remove the seeds from the peeled tomatoes and finely chop them. You can also mash them slightly if you prefer a smoother texture.
Step 5
Remove the stems from the Korean green chili pepper and thinly slice it. If you like it spicier, you can include the seeds.
Step 6
Peel and finely chop the onion. The onion’s natural sweetness will enhance the flavor of the stew.
Step 7
Wash the okras, trim off the stem and tip ends, and then cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 1-2 cm thick. Cutting them too small might cause them to become mushy.
Step 8
Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and chopped tomatoes, and sauté them together. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the onion becomes translucent and the tomatoes soften.
Step 9
Once the tomatoes have released some juice, add the prepared okra, water, sliced green chili pepper, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the okra is tender. Basting the okra with the cooking liquid occasionally will add more flavor. Adjust seasoning to your taste.
