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Stewed Tomatoes and Okra – Finances Bytes


Okra could be a love-it-or-leave-it ingredient, however I’m firmly on Group Okra! Rising up in Florida, this dish brings again scrumptious recollections. Okra and tomatoes thrive in heat climate and had been at all times on our desk. The great thing about this recipe is that it’s simple to make year-round, because of frozen okra and canned tomatoes. It’s budget-friendly, easy, and filled with Southern attraction. I simply love how the crispy bacon provides a salty crunch that ties all of it collectively. One chunk, and I wager you’ll be becoming a member of me on Group Okra, too. 😉

Overhead view of a bowl of stewed tomatoes and okra.Overhead view of a bowl of stewed tomatoes and okra.

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Simple Recipe for Okra and Tomatoes

I’ve been cooking stewed okra and tomatoes for so long as I can keep in mind, and this model is about as simple and satisfying because it will get. A mixture of stewed and diced canned tomatoes retains it juicy with the correct quantity of texture, whereas garlic powder, cumin, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne give it that slow-cooked taste with out the wait.

I do know okra’s bought a little bit of a fame for being slimy, however if you simmer it with an acidic ingredient like tomatoes, it turns tender and savory fairly than slick. That is one recipe that I’ve personally seen flip okra skeptics into lovers. Need to stretch it right into a full meal? Serve it over rice! It additionally shines as a facet for any Southern unfold.


Stewed Tomatoes and Okra

This simple recipe for Stewed Tomatoes and Okra is a Southern traditional made with easy elements and massive taste. Excellent as a facet or served over rice.

Overhead view of a bowl of stewed tomatoes and okra.Overhead view of a bowl of stewed tomatoes and okra.

  • 4 strips of bacon (chopped, $1.21)
  • ½ onion (small cube, (170g, 1 cup) $0.39)
  • 1 14.5 oz can stewed tomatoes ($0.96*)
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes ($1.00*)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder ($0.08)
  • 1 tsp cumin ($0.09)
  • ½ tsp salt ($0.02)
  • ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.08)
  • tsp cayenne ($0.04)
  • 12 oz frozen okra (minimize, $1.79**)

  • Collect and put together all elements.

  • Heat a medium skillet over medium warmth. As soon as sizzling, add the chopped bacon. Cook dinner the bacon for 10 minutes, or till it’s crispy. Utilizing a slotted spoon, take away the bacon from the pan, leaving the grease within the pan. Set the bacon apart.

  • Add the diced onion to the pan and prepare dinner for two minutes.

  • Stir within the two cans of tomatoes with their liquid, then season with the garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Cook dinner for five minutes to start out decreasing.

  • Add the okra, then scale back the warmth to medium-low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring sometimes. As soon as thickened, prime with cooked bacon and serve.

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*You should use recent okra and tomatoes, nevertheless it’ll value considerably extra. Strive swapping the frozen okra for about 3 cups of recent, sliced okra, and substitute the canned tomatoes with 4 giant ripe tomatoes (about 3 cups complete), chopped and deseeded. Add 1 cup of water or broth to assist issues simmer (including extra if wanted). Cook dinner the tomatoes down till they soften and begin to break down, then add the okra and simmer till tender.
**I discovered my frozen okra at Kroger’s.

Serving: 1servingEnergy: 175kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 7gFats: 9gSodium: 818mgFiber: 5g

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how one can make Stewed Tomatoes and Okra step-by-step pictures

Overhead view of the ingredients for Stewed Tomatoes and Okra.Overhead view of the ingredients for Stewed Tomatoes and Okra.

Collect your whole elements.

Bacon lardons cooking in a skillet.Bacon lardons cooking in a skillet.

Cook dinner the bacon: Warmth a medium-sized skillet over medium warmth, and as soon as sizzling, add 4 strips of chopped bacon. Cook dinner the bacon for about 10 minutes or till it’s good and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to take away the bacon from the skillet, forsaking all of the bacon grease. Set the bacon to 1 facet.

Diced onions sauteeing in a skillet.Diced onions sauteeing in a skillet.

Sauté the onions: Now add ½ a diced onion to the recent bacon grease. Cook dinner for 2 minutes till the onions have softened.

Canned tomatoes and seasoning added to sauteed onions in a skillet.Canned tomatoes and seasoning added to sauteed onions in a skillet.

Add the tomatoes: Pour in a single 14.5 oz can stewed tomatoes and one 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (each with juices), and add 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, and ⅛ tsp cayenne. Stir and prepare dinner for five extra minutes to start out decreasing the liquid.

Frozen okra added to stewed tomatoes in a skillet.Frozen okra added to stewed tomatoes in a skillet.

Add the okra: Now add 12 oz frozen okra and scale back the warmth to medium-low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes whereas stirring sometimes till the tomatoes have thickened and the okra is tender.

Finished stewed tomatoes and okra in a skillet.Finished stewed tomatoes and okra in a skillet.

Add the bacon: As soon as the liquid has diminished and the tomatoes have thickened, prime with the cooked bacon, and serve!

Side view of cooked tomatoes and okra on a bed of rice, with a fork taking some.Stewed Tomatoes and Okra – Finances Bytes
  1. Up the spice degree! In case you love a great spicy facet dish, improve the quantity of cayenne pepper to your liking, or change the common canned diced tomatoes for canned diced tomatoes with chilies.
  2. Make it vegetarian or vegan. This canned tomatoes and okra recipe is sooo simple to make meatless. To do that, I omit the bacon and sauté the onions in 1 Tbsp of oil as a substitute.
  3. Add some corn. Frozen or fresh-cut corn is a very nice addition to this dish. Add it if you add the frozen okra, and revel in!
  4. Customise the recipe along with your favourite spices or seasoning blends. You may completely swap out the seasonings I take advantage of right here for no matter you like. A Creole mix like Tony Chachere’s will likely be excellent in order for you a bit of kick. I additionally actually like utilizing our selfmade Cajun seasoning, because it provides simply the right combination of warmth and depth. Use what is sensible in your style (and what you’ve bought in your pantry!)

Serving Strategies

I often serve this Southern model okra and stewed tomatoes recipe over rice for an excellent easy dinner. It’s a terrific weeknight possibility, nevertheless it additionally holds its personal as a facet. If I’m cooking for the household or making a Sunday unfold, I’ll plate it up with fluffy biscuits, roasted hen, or a young Mississippi pot roast. It’s additionally proper at house subsequent to cornbread, particularly if you need one thing to take in the tomato-y juices.

For potlucks or cookouts, I’ve introduced it together with crab muffins and grilled corn, and it at all times disappears quick. It additionally pairs properly with air fryer fried hen or smoky barbecue mains like ribs, pulled pork, or grilled burgers.

Storage & Reheating

Leftovers preserve effectively within the fridge for as much as 3-4 days if saved in an hermetic container. You may as well freeze them for as much as 3 months, however the veggies will likely be softer and launch extra liquid as soon as thawed. Reheat on the range or within the microwave till warmed by means of.

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