How To Prepare Fresh Okra (Bamia) Before Cooking
- 1/2 cup vinegar (Greeks use red wine vinegar which is not halal)
- 1 lb fresh okra
- 2 tablespoons oil (if freezing) or 8 cups boiling water
- Wash well handling gently.
- Trim stem end without cutting into pod.
- Trim around top of stem attached to pod, removing a thin layer.
- Remove fuzz under running water by rubbing pod gently with a nylon scourer. If okra is young there is no need to do this.
- Spread out and leave until dry.
- Place in a bowl and pour on vinigar tossing gently so that vinegar coats okra.
- Leave for 30 minutes.
- Drain and rinse well.
- Dry and use as directed in recipes.
- TO FREEZE.
- Method 1.
- Prepare as above and dry.
- In a deep pan heat oil and fry okra for 5 miutes, tossing gently with a wooden spoon.
- Cool and put into freezer bags, expel air, seal and label. Pack into freezer.
- Method 2.
- Prepare as above.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Have a bowl of ice water ready.
- Place prepared okra into a frying basket and lower into boiling water.
- Boil for 3 miutes, timed from when the water returns to a boil.
- Lift out and place in ice water for 3 minutes.
- Drain well, put into freezer bags, expel air, seal and label. Pack into freezer.
vinegar, fresh okra, oil
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/how-to-prepare-fresh-okra-bamia-before-cooking-366751 (may not work)