We ALL have those things we prefer not to eat probably due to some bad food experiences we had in the past. Some time in 2014, I asked my followers on Instagram what they do not like to eat or what they have a hard time making delicious. The answers ranged from beetroot, to matumbo (tripe), to cabbage. One of them pointed out that for them, okra has been so hard to cook since they always find it so flat in terms of flavor and got turned off when it gets kinda slimy. She wondered how some people managed to cook it without it becoming so boring and asked me to help her. I may be over a year late with my response, but trust me, it is worth the wait :))
I made this dish as a challenge to myself and response to the feedback I got upon asking that question. And I love challenges especially when it comes to making something that is healthy but not too appetizing become delicious. Looking for something unique and speedy ? Try this rosemary and okra fried rice.
PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES SERVES:3
Ingredients
1 red onion, finely diced
1 cup of rice
5 cloves of garlic, minced
7 okra, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon of dark mushroom soy sauce
1 small carrot, finely chopped
1 teaspoon of finely chopped rosemary
1 tablespoon of garam masala
½ a tablespoon of black pepper
Method
Wash your cup of rice and then put it to cook. Once it is done set aside.
As the rice is cooking, you can begin working on your Okra. Heat some vegetable oil and add to this the finely chopped onion, rosemary and the minced garlic. Cook this until it is fragrant and softened. Add the thinly sliced okra and the carrots. Allow this to cook for around 5 minutes.
Always cut your vegetables into small pieces. Not only will they cook faster this way, but they will make your dish look a lot neater and appealing. Also, it will allow you to have a taste of everything in one bite and that cannot be achieved when veggies are chopped in ginormous ( <— is that a real word?) portions. I purchased my okra from Tuskys Kenyatta Avenue, but you can get them pretty much everywhere else from city stadium market, to nakumatt and probably you local mama mboga too.
I cooked my okra with just onions and avoided tomatoes since I feel that brings out its sliminess. I personally do not mind the slime (take this from a girl who LOVES her murenda) but for most people it is an issue. Use just onions. Also, do not let your okra overcook, once it starts loosing its vibrant green color just know you have crossed the line. Taste it as you go along. Once it is just soft, it is done. Proceed with the next step.
Once this is done add your cooked rice and toss it along with the greens. Add your tablespoon of soy sauce and mix it in until evenly distributed. I added rice to my rice while cooking it and I did not see the need of adding anymore. However if you do ot add salt to your rice while cooking it, do the necessary.
Add your finely chopped coriander, mix it in then take it from the heat.
Serve. How easy was that! This is a dish that can be tried out by EVERYONE; it does not matter whether you are a bachelor/bachelorette in university hostels somewhere, a teenager or someone who is generally allergic to the kitchen. It is too easy for you not to ace this.
This dish is light yet amazingly filling! It brings you all the awesome nutrients of okra without you even noticing it is there. Plus, It takes such a short time to cook! Tasty, Speedy and healthy = Win! How pretty does okra look though?
See how you can have a taste of everything in one bite if you cut your veggies small?
This year, we are trying out new things, yes? Yes! Do give this a try and let me know what you think.
xx
-Kaluhi
Get your downloadable recipe here :))
Vote for #KK ‘Best Food Blog 2016’
All content and images are copyright protected by
Do not copy in part or whole without giving due credit.
Hey there! My name is Kaluhi and I love food! Through my blog, I am happy to share with you my self-taught recipes, steeped in nostalgia and the happiest of memories. I hope each recipe you try out is as addictive as the previous one and is shared on a table full of love and hearty laughs!
This is one of those love or hate recipes, coz of the okra. For me its a love recipe coz I love okra!
Is okra locally available? Where can I get it?
It is locally available. I have indicated in the post where I bought mine and where you can get yours. Probably you skipped that paragraph while reading?
I soooo love Okra! It is one of my fave veggies plus its so easy to prep
You can also get rid of the sliminess of okra by soaking it salty water or washing the okra with vinegar.
Thanks for the wonderful recipes
We learn something new everyday!!!! Thanks for that, I will apply it in my cooking :))
Hi Kaluhi,
First let me say how much I love love your blog. I tried this dish last night and brought some for my colleagues to try and they love it. First the aroma is amazeballs and the taste is something else. Thanks for this and for boosting my morale. I recently moved to the extreme end of West Africa and suddenly my culinary skills were gone..I didn’t like my food and did not enjoy cooking anymore but here I am. Thanks. 🙂
Thank youso so much for your feedback. I am glad my blog has added value to your life and that you enjoy the recipes you have tried out.
Hi kaluhi, am allargic to the mushrooms, what other soy sause can I put
Nothing. Soy sauce must be there
Your recipes are amazing darling
Than you so much!