Okra with Meat and Rice – Recipe and Cooking Method

Okra with Meat and Rice – Recipe and Cooking Method

Okra with meat and rice is a beloved dish widely prepared across the Arab world, and it is a favorite for many families.

It is often made in summer, which is okra season, though many households preserve okra to enjoy the dish during winter as well.

Okra is highly nutritious, containing vitamins A, B, and K, as well as minerals like calcium (which strengthens bones), manganese, magnesium, zinc, and folic acid—making it especially beneficial for pregnant women.

Its health benefits include regulating blood sugar thanks to its natural fiber, protecting against kidney disease, cleansing the intestines and colon, boosting immunity against asthma, and supporting healthy vision. It may also aid in weight management and reduce the risk of cancer.

Nutritionally, a 300 g serving of this dish contains about 344 calories, 24 g fat (8 g saturated), 60 mg cholesterol, 17 g carbohydrates, and 18 g protein.

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Ingredients

 

For the Meat:

• 1 kg meat with bones

• 1 onion, sliced

• Hot pepper (optional, to taste)

• Bay leaves

• 7 cardamom pods

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 2 large tomatoes, cut into chunks

For the Okra:

• Oil for frying

• 10 garlic cloves, crushed

• 1 kg okra

• 3 tomatoes, blended

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon mixed spices

• Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish

For the Rice:

• 1 cup rice (soaked)

• ½ cup vermicelli

• 1 cup water

• Salt

• Black pepper

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Preparation Method

1. Wash the okra thoroughly. Place it in a pot with water, bring to a boil, and skim off any foam that appears.

2. In another pot, cook the meat with onion, hot pepper, bay leaves, cardamom, black pepper, salt, cinnamon, and tomato chunks over medium heat until the meat is tender.

3. Fry the okra in oil until golden, then set aside.

4. Strain the broth from the meat, reserving some for flavor.

5. Blend the tomatoes, then place them in a pot with the tomato paste. Add the fried okra, the cooked meat, and some of the reserved broth. Stir well.

6. Add crushed garlic, salt, black pepper, and let the mixture simmer until the okra is fully cooked and flavors are absorbed.

7. Meanwhile, prepare the rice: sauté the vermicelli in a bit of oil until golden. Add the soaked rice, water, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the water evaporates, then lower the heat and let the rice finish cooking.

8. Serve the okra stew hot in a deep dish, with rice on the side. Garnish with fresh coriander.

Enjoy this hearty, flavorful, and comforting meal with your family.