Braised Okra With Roasted Garlic And Tomato Recipes

SPICY OKRA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Trim off and discard the stem ends from the okra and cut the pods into 1/4- to 1/2-inch slices. Set the prepped okra aside.
• Peel and thinly slice the onion ; set it aside.
• Chop the tomatoes, reserving their juices; peel and mince the garlic; set them both aside.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan or sauté pan over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onions and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions start to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until brightly fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add the chili powder, cumin seeds, turmeric, and cayenne, if using, and cook, stirring as the spices sizzle, another 30 seconds.
• Add the okra and stir to coat the pieces with the onion-spice mixture.
• Add the tomatoes, any juices they've released, the salt, and 1/2 cup of water.
• Stir to combine everything and then cover. Reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer.
• Cook until the okra is tender and the flavors are well blended, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Take off the heat. Stir in the lemon juice and add more salt to taste, if desired.
• Serve the okra hot or warm.

ROASTED OKRA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine okra and tomatoes in a bowl. Drizzle enough olive oil over okra mixture to coat; toss and season with salt. Mix bacon and garlic into okra mixture and transfer to a baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until okra is tender, about 40 minutes. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over okra mixture and bake until cheese melts, about 5 minutes more.

BRAISED OKRA WITH ROASTED GARLIC AND TOMATO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut top third off of garlic head and place on a piece of parchment-lined foil. Drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, and wrap in foil.
• Roast until soft, about 1 hour. Let cool, then squeeze out cloves; mash with a fork into a paste. (You should have 1 tablespoon; if more, reserve extra for another use.)
• Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; swirl in oil. Add onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic paste and tomatoes; reduce heat to medium and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to release some of their juices, about 8 minutes.
• Uncover and simmer 2 minutes more. Add okra; bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until just tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Serve over soft polenta with cheese, more oil, and pepper.

SLOW BRAISED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the basil leaves and red pepper flakes, and stir well.
• If using plum tomatoes, cut them lengthwise in half. Toss the tomatoes with the sugar and salt.
• Place the tomatoes cut side down in a roasting pan that will hold them in a single layer. (If you don't have a pan large enough, use an additional roasting pan and more olive oil.) Spoon the onion mixture over the potatoes. Add enough olive oil to come halfway up the tomatoes, about 1/2 cup.
• Roast until the tomatoes are tender and falling apart, about 3 hours (about 1 hour for cherry tomatoes). Stir once, gently, during the roasting. Let cool; then refrigerate, covered, in their oil.

BRAISED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
• Place the tomatoes, cut side up, on a cookie sheet. Combine the remaining ingredients, except the oil, in a small bowl. Rub the tomatoes with a little oil and top each tomato with a generous amount the bread crumb and herb mixture. Season with salt and pepper and bake for 10 minutes.