Thursday 20 March 2014

WARM OKRA AND SWEET POTATO SALAD

An official congratulations to Kuukuwa on winning the last giveaway - the book should be on its way to you now :) Thanks to everyone who took part. I definitely hope to do more like it in the future, so loads more opportunities to win something.

It is officially exam season and so if I disappear from the blog for long stretches then it's probably because I'm in some library poring over a mountain of books. Today is a rest day though and the sunshine has got me in a great mood. It also inspired this colourful warm salad. I've recently been thinking of ways to use okra differently and I think it looks really pretty chopped into rings in this salad. It's also got a slight crunch which compliments the soft sweet potatoes. Give it a try and let me know what you think of the combination!

Ingredients
(serves 2)
- 1 large sweet potato (peeled and diced into cubes)
- 1 handful okra, about 15 (cut into small rounds)
- 2 large tomatoes (finely chopped)
- 1 red bell pepper (finely chopped)
- 1 vegetable stock cube
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or 100ml water for a low-fat version)

Boil the sweet potatoes in a little water for 10 minutes until cooked but still firm. Drain and set aside.

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and add the chopped peppers, tomatoes and vegetable stock cube. Stir constantly on a medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until you have a thick sauce. For a low-fat version, replace the oil with 100ml water and cook for 7-8 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated and you're left with a thick sauce. Add the chopped okra, turn the heat down to low and cook covered for a further 5 minutes. 

Add the cooked sweet potatoes and gently combine all the ingredients. Serve warm.

4 comments:

  1. Hmmmmm....... You are performing wonders oh.. This okra thing, will it not draw??

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    Replies
    1. :) It actually creates a nice, slightly sticky coating on the sweet potatoes. But it doesn't draw to the same extent as traditional okra soup (thankfully!)

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  2. Thank you so much for the book! I can't wait to read it & I know if I'm not careful, my friends will 'kidnap' the book or something because there are lots of people here eager to read that book, lol. I tracked online and realized that it's being shipped to Ghana so I expect it any day soon! About the food- it looks really yummy and I"m sure it tastes ah-mazing :) I LOVE okra so much(called okro here in Ghana) but never taught to use it in a salad. You're really creative. Will try this new recipe soon!

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