How to Steam Okra

Okra is a vegetable that evokes strong feelings among food lovers. Those who like it like it a lot, but there are many who object to the slippery, mucilaginous texture it develops in many dishes. There are several ways to cook okra without bringing this out. One of the simplest is steaming, which has the double benefit of ease and healthiness. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1

Place the okra in a colander and rinse well under cold running water. Allow the okra to drain in the colander for a few minutes, then pat them dry on paper towel.

2

Run an inch of water into the bottom of the steamer pot or saucepan. Place the steamer insert into the pot, cover, and place the pot on the stove. Bring the pot to a boil, while preparing the okra.

3

Cut the stems flush with the end of the okra. Using your paring knife, carefully trim around the ends of the okra to remove the tough layer of skin found there. The okra are now ready for cooking.

4

Open the steamer carefully, taking care to avoid the burst of steam that will escape from the pot. Distribute the okra evenly around the steamer insert, and replace the lid on the steaming pot.

5

Steam the okra until the desired level of tenderness is reached, approximately five to 10 minutes depending on their size. Some prefer the okra to still have a slight crunch, others like them cooked completely soft. This is a matter of personal taste.

6

Remove the okra from the steamer, again taking care to avoid the steam when the lid is removed from the pot. Serve the okra immediately, or cool for later use in another dish.