Wondering how to cook Okra? Okra is one of those vegetables that has a unique taste. It’s not particularly popular, but it’s not unpopular either. Some people love it, while others think it tastes like slime—which makes sense because its name comes from a Nigerian word for “slippery.”
I’ve been cooking with okra for years now, and I’ve discovered some great ways to prepare this slightly strange vegetable. In this blog post, we’ll walk through the steps for preparing simple dishes that you can use as side dishes or even main courses!
Steps Involved In Cooking Okra
I’ve highlighted vital steps involved in preparing okra. Let’s check them out!
Step 1: If the okra is less than two inches (5 cm) in diameter, don’t cut them.
Don’t cut them if the okra is less than two inches (5 cm) in diameter, This is because small okra pods are best when they’re young and tender, so you should use them for frying or any other cooking method that requires a quick cook time. Large-diameter okra is best used for soups and stews since they take longer to cook and can be left alone while simmering on low heat.
Step 2: If the okra is over two inches in diameter, cut off the tips and slice them into your desired thickness.
Cut off the tips and slice them into your desired thickness if the okra is more than five centimeters in diameter. If there are any other blemishes on the surface of the okra, remove them with a paring knife or peeler.
However, if you’re preparing smaller pieces of okra that are under two centimeters in diameter and don’t have any blemishes to erase, simply wash them thoroughly with cold water after cutting each one off its stem.
Step 3: Mix spices and flour in a paper or plastic bag.
In a paper or plastic bag, mix the flour, paprika, and cayenne pepper. The spices can be in powder form or a mix of herbs and spices.
The flour is used to coat the okra so it will have a crispy texture and not be soggy when fried. This method can also be used on other ingredients like chicken wings before frying them as well.
Step 4: Toss okra into a bag and shake until okra is evenly coated.
Now that you’ve chosen your okra, it’s time to get cooking. Toss the cut pods into a paper bag and shake vigorously until they are evenly coated in flour (and spices). Don’t overdo it or you will make a mess; one minute of vigorous shaking should be enough to coat the okra without getting too much flour on their skin. Additionally, if you want to showcase your best cooking techniques, whether it’s preparing okra or other mouthwatering dishes, to a wider audience on Twitch streams, consider utilizing Streamoz’s services.
Step 5: Put your frying pan on medium-high heat.
You will need:
- A frying pan with a lid
- A non-stick frying pan with a heat-resistant handle (this will be safer than the alternative)
- A large enough frying pan to cook all of your okra at once.
Step 6: Add in oil until the whole bottom of the pan is coated.
- Add in oil until the whole bottom of the pan is coated. Use enough to almost cover the bottom of your frying pan or deep pan, about ¼ inch deep. The oil should be hot enough that it will sizzle when you add okra in, but not so hot that it smokes. The best way to test this is by sticking a wooden spoon handle into the oil and seeing if bubbles form where you put it in.
- Use a deep pan with a spout for easy pouring! If you only have a small pot or saucepan, use a wide spatula to turn your okra instead of trying to pick up each piece individually—you’ll make better progress faster this way!
Step 7: Place okra slices in a frying pan and cook for about 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Place okra slices in a frying pan and cook for about 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Cooking time depends on the size of your okra and how brown you would like it to be. The smaller, skinnier pieces will cook faster than the larger ones. Cook until tender but not mushy, and then browned as desired.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, you don’t have to be a professional chef to cook tasty okra dishes. All you need are some simple steps and a little bit of patience. You can make your own delicious okra recipes at home, or try out one of these five tasty options that are sure to satisfy any appetite!
