Best Pan Seared Okra With Bacon Recipes

MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN'S ROASTED OKRA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Rinse the okra, and drain on a kitchen towel. The okra should be dry. Trim away the stem ends and the tips, just the very ends, and then place the okra in a large bowl. Salt to taste, and toss with the olive oil until coated.
• Lift the okra from the bowl, leaving behind any excess oil. Place on a sheet pan in one layer. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes (large okra might take a little longer), shaking the pan every five minutes. The okra should be lightly browned and tender, with a nice seared aroma. If you don't want it to brown as much, set the oven at 400 degrees.
• Remove from the heat, toss with fresh thyme, if desired, and freshly ground pepper. Transfer to a platter. Serve hot.

SAUTEED OKRA

Steps:

• Wash okra under cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Trim stem ends.
• Heat a cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add bacon, and cook, turning occasionally, until golden. Drain bacon on paper towels, and crumble into pieces.
• Discard all but 3 tablespoons of bacon fat; return pan to heat. When fat is hot but not smoking, add okra. Cook, turning occasionally, until okra is bright green and slightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; transfer to a platter. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately.

OKRA, TOMATOES, AND BACON

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Crumble bacon into a bowl.
• Add onion and garlic to skillet over medium heat; cook and stir until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add hot pepper and cook until tender, about 3 minutes more. Add drained tomatoes; season with thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook 5 minutes more.
• Add okra and enough reserved juice from tomatoes to cover. Simmer, covered, until okra is tender, about 15 minutes.