What makes okra taste better?

Cooking okra over high heat is absolutely the best way to prepare it. And when it comes to heat, deep-frying is definitely hot! A deep fryer is ideal for frying okra because it allows you to set and regulate an exact frying temperature.

What does baking soda do to okra?

Viscosity peaks at neutral to alkaline pH, Preston said, which is why exposing okra to acidic ingredients, such as vinegar or tomatoes, tones it down. Some African cooks, she said, go in the other direction, adding baking soda (which raises pH to a more alkaline level ) to okra soup to augment its thickening effect.

Why do you put vinegar in okra?

Lemon juice, chopped tomatoes, vinegar, or a splash of wine will not only add depth to your recipe, but it will also lower your slime quotient . A vinegar bath also does wonders to reduce the slimy consistency. Before cooking, soak the pods in vinegar for 30 minutes to help break up and dissolve the slime.

Should okra be soaked before cooking?

The short answer is no, you don't have to soak it before cooking , but some recipes suggest soaking the okra in a vinegar mixture to reduce sliminess. To soak okra, pour 125ml (1/2 cup) vinegar into a bowl. Add 500g okra (the ratio of vinegar to okra is 125ml vinegar to every 500g okra). Turn the okra to coat.

Pinoy Okra Recipe - Simply Bakings (2024)

Home » Vegan Filipino Recipes » Pinoy Okra Recipe

by Lainey · Published: Aug 22, 2021 · Modified: Mar 27, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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This delicious Pinoy Okra Recipe is a super easy, tasty, and vegan-friendly dish that is made with perfectly blanched okra tossed in a savory vegetarian oyster sauce. It's an easy Filipino side dish recipe that is perfect for a quick family lunch or dinner!

Looking to add more delicious Filipino vegetables to your life? Try my Bicol Express, Filipino Green Beans, or Grilled Eggplant with Coconut Milk.

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What is Okra?
How to Make Delicious Okra Recipe
Top Tips
Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
More Filipino Recipes to Try
Pinoy Okra Recipe

What is Okra?

Okrais also known as “lady’s finger" because of its shape, which resembles the thin, delicate fingers of a woman. It is aflowering plant with edible seed pods that belongs to the mallow family. It is often cultivated in Africa and South Asia, where it grows best in warm climates. It is a well-known superfood due to its low-calorie content and high concentration of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.

This delicious okra recipe is a tasty Filipino dish and one of the best Filipino dinners to eat because it's so healthy. It's vegetarian-friendly and a perfect treat for okra lovers. The perfect combination of light, crisp, tender okra with a delicious vegetarian oyster sauce will make you want more!

How to Make Delicious Okra Recipe

Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:

okra
vegetarian oyster mushroom sauce
brown sugar
dark soy sauce
sesame oil
vegetable broth
lemon
vegetable oil
garlic
ginger

On medium heat, blanch the okra in boiling water for 4 minutes.Remove and transfer the okra to a bowl:

In a small bowl, combine oyster mushroom sauce, brown sugar, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, vegetable broth, and lemon juice; set aside.

In a small pan, add oil and sauté garlic on low heat until it turns light brown:

Add the ginger slices and cook for another 2 minutes.Next, pour in the oyster mushroom sauce mixture.Then, bring the mixture to a boil and reduce it to a simmer for 3 minutes:

Toss in the blanched okra and continue simmering for another 2 minutes:

Top Tips

Make sure not to overcook the okra. The less cooked okra is, the better it is for our health.
Just blanch the okra and transfer it to a plate. You may also put the boiled okra in a large bowl with cold water and/or ice cubes for a few minutes to stop it from cooking. Then, drain the water and transfer the okra to a serving plate.
It is best to use brightly colored okra pods. Avoid using dull, bruised, soft, or blemished okra pods. If they are too ripe, they will have a very sticky texture.
Pour the flour into the water and stir it evenly, then pour the okra to wash off the fluff on their surface.
For non-vegetarians, serve this dish with grilled,fried,orsteamed fish or meats.
Feel free to season with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped spring onions.

Storage

Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is okra slimy?

It hasmucilage, or slime, that contains soluble fiber that aids in digestion.

How do you cook okra so it is not slimy?

Keep the pods intact and cook them quickly to minimize the sliminess of the pod. You may also soak the okra in vinegar for half an hour. Then rinse it and pat it dry before cooking.

How do I prepare the okra for cooking?

Okra can be fried, oven-roasted, stewed, pickled, and included in gumbo.

More Filipino Recipes to Try

Caramelized Onion Dip
Filipino Style Tomato Soup
Vegan Bagoong (which pairs well with this dish)

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