My wife and I are fond of trying out various vegetarian recipes. Here is another recipe that we found from the yellowing and almost crumbling pages of my grandmother’s cookbook (Copyright 1953). It is actually a very simple but healthy recipe that can be done in a few minutes. If you are squeamish about eating slimy okra dish, you may learn to appreciate fried okra because of its improved taste and minimal slimy texture.
Ingredients:
1/2 kg fresh okra
1/8 kg bread crumbs
2 chicken eggs
salt (to taste)
mono-sodium glutamate (msg), optional
powdered black pepper (to taste)
coconut oil
Procedure:
1. Beat the eggs and season with salt, pepper and msg to taste.
2. Remove the hard stalk of the okra. Longitudinally slice each okra pod into two pieces.
3. Dip the okra pieces with the egg mixture and coat with the bread crumbs.
4. Heat the oil in a frying pan.
5. Deep fry the okra strips until golden brown.
6. Let excess oil drip from the fried okra by using a strainer or use paper towels to absorb the excess oil before serving. You may also include celery and tomatoes as garnishing. It’s up to you how you are going to make the fried okras more presentable.
You may also prepare a dipping sauce by mixing soy sauce with lemon juice, diced onion and diced tomatoes. However, you can also use ketchup if you do not want the hassle of preparing the soy sauce.
Health Benefits
Here is a list of the supposed health benefits that can be derived from okra. I have copied the list from this source: http://www.pyroenergen.com/articles07/okra-health-benefits.htm
- The superior fiber found in okra helps to stabilize the blood sugar by curbing the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract.
- Okra’s mucilage binds cholesterol and bile acid carrying toxins dumped into it by the filtering liver.
- Okra helps lubricate the large intestines due to its bulk laxative qualities. The okra fiber absorbs water and ensures bulk in stools. This helps prevent and improve constipation.
- Okra fiber is excellent for feeding the good bacteria (probiotics). This contributes to the health of the intestinal tract.
- Okra is a supreme vegetable for those feeling weak, exhausted, and suffering from depression.
- Okra is used for healing ulcers and to keep joints limber. It helps to neutralize acids, being very alkaline, and provides a temporary protective coating for the digestive tract.
- Okra treats lung inflammation, sore throat, and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Okra has been used successfully in experimental blood plasma replacements.
- Okra is good for summer heat treatment.
- Okra is good for constipation.
- Okra is good in normalizing the blood sugar and cholesterol level.
- Okra is good for asthma. Okra’s vitamin C is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which curtail the development of asthma symptoms.
- Okra is good for atherosclerosis.
- Okra is believed to protect some forms of cancer expansion, especially colorectal cancer.
- Eating okra helps to support the structure of capillaries.
- Some information shows that eating okra lowers the risk of cataracts.
- Okra is good for preventing diabetes.
- Okra protects you from pimples and maintains smooth and beautiful skin.
| Principle | Nutrient Value | Percentage of RDA |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 1.5% | 31 Kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 7.03 g | 5.4% |
| Protein | 2.0 g | 4% |
| Total Fat | 0.1 g | 0.5% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 9% | 3.2 g |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 88 mcg | 22% |
| Niacin | 1.000 mg | 6% |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.245 mg | 5% |
| Pyridoxine | 0.215 mg | 16.5% |
| Riboflavin | 0.060 mg | 4.5% |
| Thiamin | 0.200 mg | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 21.1 mg | 36% |
| Vitamin A | 375 IU | 12.5% |
| Vitamin E | 0.36 mg | 2.5% |
| Vitamin K | 53 mcg | 44% |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 8 mg | 0.5% |
| Potassium | 303 mg | 6% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 81 mg | 8% |
| Copper | 0.094 mg | 10% |
| Iron | 0.80 mg | 10% |
| Magnesium | 57 mg | 14% |
| Manganese | 0.990 mg | 43% |
| Phosphorus | 63mg | 9% |
| Selenium | 0.7 mcg | 1% |
| Zinc | 0.60 mg | 5.5% |
| Phyto-nutrients | ||
| Carotene-ß | 225 mcg | – |
| Crypto-xanthin-ß | 0 mcg | – |
| Lutein-zeaxanthin | 516 mcg | – |
recyclingcurbside
July 10, 2010
Awesome, thank you. Not only does it sound great, but it has awesome health benefits.
Homar
July 11, 2010
Hi, thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. Okra does not need to be unpalatable. You can also use commercially available frying mix as an alternative to bread crumbs.
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March 10, 2011
I’ve never tried okra but after reading this I think I’ll give it a go, great post!!
Gay
January 12, 2012
Does okra improve fertility in men?