Okra in tomato sauce - A delicious recipe for winter
Okra, these uniquely shaped vegetables with a slightly crunchy texture, are often underestimated in the kitchen. But when prepared correctly, they become a true delicacy! Today, I will share with you a simple and tasty recipe for okra in tomato sauce, perfect for preserving and enjoying during the winter.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 4 jars of 400 g
Ingredients:
- 1 kg of fresh okra (I recommend Sultanine okra for their texture)
- 1 liter of borscht (or 1 liter of water, 1 teaspoon of lemon salt, and 1 tablespoon of coarse salt, in the absence of borscht)
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- Tomato juice (enough to cover the okra in jars, about 500 ml, diluted with water if too thick)
Preparation:
1. Preparing the okra:
- Start by cleaning the okra. Cut off the tops and tails, then wash them well under a stream of cold water. It is essential to remove any dirt and impurities. Okra is a delicate vegetable, so handle it carefully to avoid crushing.
2. Blanching:
- In a large pot, bring the borscht to a boil. If using water with lemon salt, add the ingredients to the water and let them boil. Add the okra to the boiling borscht and let them boil for 5 minutes. This step is crucial as blanching helps preserve the vibrant color and texture of the vegetables.
3. Cooling the okra:
- After 5 minutes, remove the okra from the pot and immediately place them in a bowl of cold water. This rapid cooling method stops the cooking process and helps the okra stay crunchy.
4. Preparing the jars:
- Prepare the jars and lids by sterilizing them. You can do this by boiling them for 10 minutes in boiling water. This step is essential to prevent bacterial growth.
5. Filling the jars:
- Place the okra in the jars, filling them evenly. Fill the jars with diluted tomato juice, ensuring it completely covers the okra. Make sure no air bubbles remain in the jars to prevent spoilage.
6. Sealing the jars:
- Screw the jar lids on tightly. It is important to ensure they are airtight to prevent any contamination.
7. Boiling the jars:
- Place the jars in a large pot of boiling water. Boil the jars for 30 minutes. This step will ensure the preservation of the okra, and their flavor will be intensified.
8. Cooling and storing:
- After boiling, remove the jars from the water and wrap them in a blanket to cool gradually. This helps form a better seal. Once completely cooled, store them in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry.
Practical tips:
- If you want to add extra flavor, you can also add spices like black pepper or herbs (basil, dill) to the jars.
- Make sure the okra is fresh and firm. Overripe okra can have a woody texture and a bitter taste.
- Instead of borscht, you can try using vegetable broth for a more complex flavor.
Nutritional benefits:
Okra is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber, making it excellent for digestive health and boosting the immune system. It also contains antioxidants that contribute to skin health.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use frozen okra?
- Although fresh okra is recommended for optimal texture, you can use frozen okra. Just make sure to thaw them completely before preparing.
2. How can I serve the preserved okra?
- Okra in tomato sauce can be served as a side dish alongside meat, or added to soups and stews to enrich the flavor of your dish.
3. Can I add other vegetables to the jars?
- Sure! You can combine okra with carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. Just ensure all vegetables are cooked evenly.
Delicious combinations:
Okra in tomato sauce pairs perfectly with rice dishes or purees. Additionally, a glass of chilled white wine complemented with these okra will turn any meal into a special occasion.
Alternative recipe:
If you want to experiment, you can try okra with tahini sauce or even stuffed with a meat and rice mixture, then baked in the oven. Each variation brings a personal and unique touch to the dish!
I hope this recipe for okra in tomato sauce has inspired you to try something new and bring a piece of your summer into the cold winter days. Enjoy your meal!
Okra, these uniquely shaped vegetables with a slightly crunchy texture, are often underestimated in the kitchen. But when prepared correctly, they become a true delicacy! Today, I will share with you a simple and tasty recipe for okra in tomato sauce, perfect for preserving and enjoying during the winter.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 4 jars of 400 g
Ingredients:
- 1 kg of fresh okra (I recommend Sultanine okra for their texture)
- 1 liter of borscht (or 1 liter of water, 1 teaspoon of lemon salt, and 1 tablespoon of coarse salt, in the absence of borscht)
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- Tomato juice (enough to cover the okra in jars, about 500 ml, diluted with water if too thick)
Preparation:
1. Preparing the okra:
- Start by cleaning the okra. Cut off the tops and tails, then wash them well under a stream of cold water. It is essential to remove any dirt and impurities. Okra is a delicate vegetable, so handle it carefully to avoid crushing.
2. Blanching:
- In a large pot, bring the borscht to a boil. If using water with lemon salt, add the ingredients to the water and let them boil. Add the okra to the boiling borscht and let them boil for 5 minutes. This step is crucial as blanching helps preserve the vibrant color and texture of the vegetables.
3. Cooling the okra:
- After 5 minutes, remove the okra from the pot and immediately place them in a bowl of cold water. This rapid cooling method stops the cooking process and helps the okra stay crunchy.
4. Preparing the jars:
- Prepare the jars and lids by sterilizing them. You can do this by boiling them for 10 minutes in boiling water. This step is essential to prevent bacterial growth.
5. Filling the jars:
- Place the okra in the jars, filling them evenly. Fill the jars with diluted tomato juice, ensuring it completely covers the okra. Make sure no air bubbles remain in the jars to prevent spoilage.
6. Sealing the jars:
- Screw the jar lids on tightly. It is important to ensure they are airtight to prevent any contamination.
7. Boiling the jars:
- Place the jars in a large pot of boiling water. Boil the jars for 30 minutes. This step will ensure the preservation of the okra, and their flavor will be intensified.
8. Cooling and storing:
- After boiling, remove the jars from the water and wrap them in a blanket to cool gradually. This helps form a better seal. Once completely cooled, store them in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry.
Practical tips:
- If you want to add extra flavor, you can also add spices like black pepper or herbs (basil, dill) to the jars.
- Make sure the okra is fresh and firm. Overripe okra can have a woody texture and a bitter taste.
- Instead of borscht, you can try using vegetable broth for a more complex flavor.
Nutritional benefits:
Okra is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber, making it excellent for digestive health and boosting the immune system. It also contains antioxidants that contribute to skin health.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use frozen okra?
- Although fresh okra is recommended for optimal texture, you can use frozen okra. Just make sure to thaw them completely before preparing.
2. How can I serve the preserved okra?
- Okra in tomato sauce can be served as a side dish alongside meat, or added to soups and stews to enrich the flavor of your dish.
3. Can I add other vegetables to the jars?
- Sure! You can combine okra with carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. Just ensure all vegetables are cooked evenly.
Delicious combinations:
Okra in tomato sauce pairs perfectly with rice dishes or purees. Additionally, a glass of chilled white wine complemented with these okra will turn any meal into a special occasion.
Alternative recipe:
If you want to experiment, you can try okra with tahini sauce or even stuffed with a meat and rice mixture, then baked in the oven. Each variation brings a personal and unique touch to the dish!
I hope this recipe for okra in tomato sauce has inspired you to try something new and bring a piece of your summer into the cold winter days. Enjoy your meal!