Charleston Okra Soup Recipes

CHARLESTON OKRA SOUP

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except rice in a large Dutch oven, brng to a boil.
• Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 1/2 hr, stirring frequently.
• Remove bay leat & discard.
• Remove ham hock from soup.
• Remove meat from the bone and chop.
• Add meat from the bone and stir well.
• Place rice in bowls & ladle soup over rice.

CHARLESTON GUMBO WITH SHRIMP AND OKRA

Steps:

• Prepare seasoning mixture: mix salt, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne, chili powder, and paprika together in a bowl. Set aside.
• Prepare gumbo: melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery; saute until onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add seasoning mixture and stir until vegetables are well coated. Stir in 1 tablespoon flour and mix until combined, being careful not to burn. Slowly add chicken stock.
• Transfer mixture to a Dutch oven or large stockpot. Cover and cook over medium heat until reduced slightly, about 30 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir until dissolved. Add tomato sauce, cover, and cook until reduced slightly, about 15 minutes.
• Add okra and corn. Cook, stirring occasionally so veggies don't stick to the bottom of the pot, until okra is tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Season shrimp with seafood seasoning. Add to the pot. Cover and cook until shrimp are bright pink on the outside and the meat is opaque, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, if desired.
• Combine water and remaining 1 tablespoon flour to make a roux. Add to gumbo as needed and cook until thickened to desired consistency.

CHARLESTON OKRA SOUP

Steps:

• Put the hambone in a soup pan. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer for 1 hour or longer. Add the okra, tomatoes and green pepper. Melt the butter in a small pan. Saute the onion until golden. Add to the soup. Simmer until the soup is thick (about 2 hours). Remove the hambone. Shred the meat into the soup. Serve over rice in soup bowls.