Plain Okra

Okra doesn't have to be breaded to be delicious. Plain okra is just as good. Just slice into pieces and toss with a little olive oil so it doesn't stick to the pan and bake at 425 F for 30 minutes. Serve as is or with chipotle dipping sauce. Click link for the chipotle dipping sauce recipe.

Gary said he'd never had okra till we moved to Arkansas. Of course I had it because my grandmother would serve it often when we went to visit her. I miss my grandmother; she passed away at 100 years old. Okra is a member of the mallow family and the flowers are a treat to see. Pick your okra when small, less than six inches, because the pods become tough and fibrous if left to grow for too long. I didn't realize the leaves of the okra plant can also be eaten and the stems produce a fiber used industrially. The seeds can be used as a coffee substitute.

Keep your okra pods dry to prevent the slime. I never notice any when I cook it. Perhaps baked or fried it doesn't produce the slime. Click this link for okra to see all the vitamins and minerals okra contains, not to mention the fiber. Photos of flower and pod are from the link. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.