Egyptian Okra Recipes

EGYPTIAN MEAT AND OKRA STEW

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large, lidded pot like a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Salt the meat well and brown it in batches. Pat it dry with paper towels and don't let the pieces touch. You might need to raise the heat to full blast to prevent the meat from steaming. You want it to be well browned on at least 2 sides. Move pieces to a bowl as they brown. This will take you about 15 minutes.
• When the meat has browned, add the onions to the pot. Add a little extra olive oil if you want. Stir the onions around with a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits in the pot. Let them sauté until soft and a little brown. Add the green chiles and the garlic and cook another 2 minutes, stirring often.
• Return the meat and any juices to the pot, add the coriander, cardamom, tomato paste and some salt and mix well. Let this cook a minute, then add the tomatoes and stock. Add the dried lemons if you happen to be using them. Bring to a gentle simmer and taste for salt. Cover the pot and cook for 2 hours. If you are using lamb or beef, you'll only need to cook this for about 90 minutes, or even less.
• When the meat is tender, add the okra and lemon juice. Simmer about 15 more minutes, then add black pepper to taste. Serve with rice.

BAMYA BIL LAHME (OKRA WITH MEAT STEW)

Steps:

• Heat 4 tablespoons butter or oil in a large stock pot over medium high heat. Working in small batches, brown meat, turning constantly, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
• Add onions to meat and saute until translucent, 8-10 minutes.
• Add garlic, cumin, coriander, tomatoes, tomato paste, and stock. Stir well.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover tightly and cook for about 45 minutes- 1 hour or until meat is tender. Add more water if it becomes dry.
• Prepare okra by rinsing in cool water. Cut the stem end off each and poke holes in them to absorb the liquid.
• Once meat is tender add okra and 1-2 cups water.
• Pour lemon juice over mixture (this reduces the slimy texture of the okra).
• Cook an additional 30-45 minutes on low heat until it has a thick stew consistency and okra is soft.
• Serve warm with rice.

EGYPTIAN BAMIA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion until translucent, about 7 minutes. Mix in lamb, salt, and black pepper; cook and stir until lamb is lightly browned, 5 to 10 more minutes.
• Stir in tomato sauce and water; season with salt and black pepper. Bring lamb mixture to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer lamb in sauce until very tender, at least 1 hour, adding more water as needed. Stir occasionally.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Stir okra into lamb mixture, adding more water if necessary, and bring to a boil. Spoon the bamia into a 2-quart baking dish and adjust salt and black pepper; cover dish with foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until okra is tender, about 45 minutes; uncover for last 10 minutes of baking.

EGYPTIAN OKRA

Steps:

• 1. In a pot over medium high heat add all ingredients. Add enough water to just about cover the okra.
• 2. Bring to boil then lower the heat, cover and let it simmer for about an hour or until the okra is very tender and sauce is thickened.
• 3. Serve over white rice or with pita bread.