Armenian Okra Recipes

ARMENIAN OKRA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onions in oil until tender. Add the broth, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil., Stir in the okra, apricots and lemon juice. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until okra is tender.

BAKLAZHANNAIA IKRA (POOR MAN'S CAVIAR)

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Bake the eggplant on a baking sheet in the center of the oven, turning it over once or twice, until it is soft and its skin is charred and blistered, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook the onions in 4 tablespoons oil over medium heat until they are soft but not brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the green pepper and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes longer. With a rubber spatula, scrape the contents of the skillet into a mixing bowl.
• Remove the skin from the baked eggplant with a small, sharp knife, then chop the eggplant pulp finely, almost to a pure. Add it to the mixing bowl and stir in the tomatoes, sugar, salt and a few grindings of black pepper. Mix together thoroughly. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the skillet over moderate heat and pour in the eggplant mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then turn the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 1 hour.
• Uncover and cook 30 minutes, stirring from time to time, until all the moisture in the pan has evaporated and the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape in a spoon. Stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice and taste for seasoning, adding salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste. Transfer the “caviar" to a mixing bowl and chill, covered with plastic wrap, until ready to serve. Serve on squares of bread or on sesame-seed crackers.

BAMYA ( LAMB OR BEEF AND OKRA STEW)

Steps:

• Okra must be cooked so that its slimy texture is eliminated.
• The Greeks have the best technique for achieving this.
• Trim the conical tops with a sharp knife, then soak the okra in red wine-viegar (Khall) for 30 minutes, allowing 1/2 cup vinegar per pound.
• Drain, rinse and dry the okra and proceed with the recipe.
• This dish is popular throughout the Middle East and can be prepared with lamb or beef.
• Serve with rice.
• Preheat an oven to 325 F (165 C).
• In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, warm 4 tablespoons of the butter or oil.
• Working in batches, add the meat and fry, turning, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon transfer to a baking dish or stew pot.
• Add the onions to the fat remaining in the frying pan and saute over medium heat until tender and translucent, 8-10 minutes.
• Add the garlic, cumin, coriander, tomatoes, tomato paste, the 1 cup stock and mint (if using).
• Stir well.
• Pour over the meat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cover and bake until all the liquid is absorbed, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Taste and adjust the seasonings.
• Meanwhile, prepare the okra as directed in the note above.
• In a saute pan over medium heat, warm the remaining 2 tablespoons butter or oil Add the okra and saute for 3 mins, stirring gently.
• Remove the stew from the oven and arrange the okra on top in a spoke pattern.
• Sprinkle the lemon juice evenly over the surface.
• Re-cover the dish and return it to the oven.
• Bake for 35 minutes longer.
• Add stock or water if the mixture seems too dry.
• Serve the"BAMIA" stew piping hot.

ARMENIAN VEGETABLE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Chop all vegetables except zucchini and place in a covered casserole or dutch oven. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
• Cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours.
• Add the zucchini and mix gently. Leave uncovered and cook for 20 - 30 minutes more.
• Serve over rice or with a delicious crusty bread, and top with a dollop of yogurt, if you like. Leftovers are even better the next day.

BAMIEH (MIDDLE EASTERN OKRA STEW)

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, salt and black pepper; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned a light golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Add the lamb, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, and garlic paste. Cook on medium heat until the lamb starts to brown, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste; cook and stir for another 5 minutes.
• Dissolve the beef bouillon cubes in 4 cups of boiling water. Pour the broth into the pot with the lamb and stir in the okra. If necessary, add water to cover the okra. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the cover and cook for another 45 minutes to 1 hour until the lamb is very tender and the stew reaches your desired thickness.

BEEF AND OKRA BAMIA

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.

BAMYA (MIDDLE EASTERN OKRA STEW WITH LAMB)

Steps:

• Slice meat into 3" pieces and wash in a strainer, until the water runs clear. Place meat in a 5-quart Dutch oven and add 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
• If using fresh okra, wash and trim the end by cutting around the "cap" to form a cone shape. If using pickled okra, rinse well before using.
• Remove meat from the pot and pour out any remaining liquid. Rinse the pot and place the meat back inside. Add vegetable or olive oil, onion, and paprika to the meat. Sauté, over medium-high heat, to brown the meat.
• Mix tomato paste into 4 cups hot water, stir to dissolve. Add to the pot, along with garlic, okra, chopped tomato, salt, and lemon juice. Simmer, covered, for 40 minutes. Serve Bamya over white rice.

ARMENIAN VEGETABLE STEW

Steps:

• Cook eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, apple, onion, and garlic in oil in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 40 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with juice, okra, tomato paste, salt, and pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until stew is slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Cool, uncovered, and serve warm or at room temperature. Stir in parsley and salt to taste just before serving.