Okra is a very southern food but some of our picky eaters were a little hesitant when it was brought out for the gumbo class. Mostly around here you see fried okra, I mean what doesn't the south fry, but plain and green is a different story. For the gumbo, we placed frozen okra on a pan and placed in the oven at 350-400 - it's been a while y'all but I know its fine on either temp as long as you are watching it! Drizzle the okra with some olive oil and let it bake! For gumbo, frozen okra just needs to be a soft to the touch and no longer slimy so you just have to keep testing and checking on it.
When the okra was "gumbo ready" - we added what we wanted to the gumbo and Mama Butta let us taste test the remaining okra. The hesitant buttas tried it and suprise, didn't think it was half bad! Mama Butta said you could also cook the okra for a while longer and really let it get crispy. It was so good! Bake it until desired crispy-ness - some smaller pieces might turn a little black but that's fine. Add some salt and pepper and you are good to go - almost as good as popcorn! AND we couldn't believe how healthy okra is for you! 1 POUND of okra has about 150 calories - imagine how much you can eat without feeling guilty!
The Baby Buttas have used this tip to make okra as a side for turkey burgers, steak and also a snack! Hope you enjoy :)
So glad you posted this, Meredith! Also important that you don't crowd sheet pan and salt and pepper generously. Love it!
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