Charred Okra Salad With Garlicky Yogurt Recipes

OKRA AND POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Mix together lemon juice and vinegar in a small bowl.
• Steam potatoes above 1 inch water for 10 minutes, until tender enough to easily pierce with the tip of a knife. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice-vinegar mix.
• Trim away okra stems, just above the line where the stem cap joins the okra spear. Place in steamer, cover and steam 4 minutes. Drain and rinse briefly with cold water, then drain on a dish towel.
• Slice okra about 1/3- to 1/2-inch thick and add to bowl with potatoes. Add serrano and shallot. Season generously with salt and pepper, and toss together.
• Whisk garlic, yogurt and olive oil into remaining lemon juice-vinegar mix. Toss with the okra and potatoes. Add parsley and toss again. Garnish with crumbled feta if desired, and serve.

OKRA SALAD WITH TOASTED CUMIN

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Put cumin, coriander and caraway seeds in a small dry skillet over medium-high heat. Shake pan and toast seeds until fragrant and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Let seeds cool, then grind to a coarse powder in a mortar or electric spice mill. Transfer to a small bowl and add paprika and cayenne. Whisk in olive oil, lemon juice and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
• Bring a large saucepan of well-salted water to a boil. Add okra and cook for 2 minutes, until firm-tender. Drain and rinse with cool water, then blot with a kitchen towel. Set aside.
• To serve, place okra in a serving bowl. Season lightly with salt and toss with dressing. (Leave to marinate for up to 1 hour if desired.) Garnish with olives, chopped cilantro and some cilantro sprigs.