Okra seems to be the forgotten or overlooked vegetable. Most people, outside the South, have perhaps had okra in a gumbo or maybe deep fried at a soul food restaurant. But, there are so many delicious ways to cook and serve okra.
One quick and easy side dish featuring okra is Southern Skillet Okra. It similar to a vegetarian gumbo and can be served over rice if desired. It's also fine as a side dish with something like meat loaf and is very good with old fashioned corn bread.
Southern Skillet Okra Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 slices bacon (fried crisp)
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 4 cups okra (washed, stems removed, and cut in round circles)
- 1 10 oz. can tomato sauce
- 2 TBS catsup
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 splash hot pepper sauce (about ¼ tsp)
- 2 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp. salt
Directions:
- Fry bacon crisp and put on paper towel to drain.
- Add onion and garlic to the hot bacon grease and saute until onion is limp.
- Wash and cut okra. The okra should be 2 to 3 inches. Larger okra is rough and stringy and gives this vegetable a bad name. So, be sure it’s young and tender okra.
- Add okra to skillet.
- Crumble bacon on top of okra.
- Add all remaining ingredients and stir well.
- Put lid on skillet and simmer for around a half hour at medium heat.
Okra is low in calories and high in fiber as an added bonus!
Other Favorite Southern Side Dishes:
Potato Salad - Potato Salad is a traditional favorite side dish all over the South. This version is a little zippier than some and goes well with the tangy okra recipe.
Chilled Black Eyed Pea Casserole - This colorful make ahead dish is refreshing. It also provides protein at a much lower price than buying meat. You may also see this recipe called Texas Caviar.
Summer Broccoli Salad - This tasty salad is popular at pock luck dinners and socials. It's good year round but is especially popular during the summer when it can be taken in the cooler as a side dish at picnics or cook outs.
Vidalia Onion Pie - It may sound strange to make a pie featuring onion, but Vidalia onions aren't just any onions. They are sweet and deserve center stage.
Yellow Squash Casserole Recipe - This makes a pretty and tasty dish. You can also substitute any type of summer squash. For example, zucchini or patty pan work fine too, but the color is lighter or course.
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