Mediterranean Lamb or Beef and Okra Delight
Experience the rich flavors of the Mediterranean with this exquisite Lamb or Beef and Okra Delight. This hearty stew is infused with aromatic spices and a delightful mix of fresh ingredients, ensuring a comforting meal for your family and friends. The dish features tender meat slow-cooked to perfection, complemented by succulent okra that undergoes a special treatment to eliminate its natural sliminess, resulting in an inviting texture. Ideal for serving over fluffy rice, this stew captures the essence of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. It’s a perfect dish for gatherings and can be adjusted to individual taste preferences.
N/A
Servings
450
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter or olive oil
6 tablespoons (for frying and sautéing)
stewing lamb or beef
2 lbs (cut into 1-inch cubes)
onions
2 (finely chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (finely minced)
ground cumin
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
ground coriander
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
peeled seeded and chopped tomato
1 cup (fresh or canned)
tomato paste
3 tablespoons (for flavor intensity)
beef stock or water
1 cup (as needed)
fresh mint
2 tablespoons (chopped, optional)
salt
to taste
fresh ground pepper
to taste
okra
1 - 1.5 lbs (trimmed)
lemon
1 (juiced)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the okra to eliminate its slimy texture. Trim the conical tops using a sharp knife and soak the okra in red wine vinegar (Khall) for 30 minutes, using 1/2 cup of vinegar per pound of okra.
2
After soaking, drain, rinse, and dry the okra thoroughly.
3
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
4
In a large frying pan, heat 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter or olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the meat in batches, cooking until browned on all sides, approximately 10 minutes.
5
Transfer the browned meat to a baking dish or stew pot using a slotted spoon.
6
In the same frying pan, add the finely chopped onions and sauté over medium heat until they are tender and translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
7
Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, peeled and chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, and 1 cup of beef stock (or water) along with the fresh mint if desired. Mix well.
8
9
Pour this mixture over the meat in the baking dish, seasoning with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
10
Cover the dish and bake in the preheated oven until the liquid is mostly absorbed, approximately 1.5 hours.
11
Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
12
Meanwhile, return to the prepared okra. In a sauté pan, warm the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter or oil over medium heat and sauté the okra gently for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
13
Remove the stew from the oven and artfully arrange the sautéed okra on top in a spoke pattern. Drizzle the lemon juice evenly over the surface.
14
Re-cover the dish and return it to the oven for an additional 35 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
15
Throughout the cooking process, check to ensure the mixture doesn’t become too dry; add additional stock or water as needed.
16
Serve the Mediterranean Lamb or Beef and Okra Delight piping hot, ideally accompanied by a bed of fluffy rice.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
35g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Lamb or Beef and Okra Delight?
It is a hearty Mediterranean stew featuring tender meat and succulent okra infused with aromatic Middle Eastern spices.
Can I use beef instead of lamb in this recipe?
Yes, you can use 2 lbs of either stewing lamb or beef cut into 1-inch cubes.
How do I prevent the okra from being slimy?
Trim the tops and soak the okra in red wine vinegar for 30 minutes before rinsing and drying thoroughly.
What is the vinegar ratio for soaking okra?
Use 1/2 cup of red wine vinegar per pound of okra to eliminate its natural sliminess.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit or 165 degrees Celsius.
How long should I brown the meat?
Brown the meat in batches for approximately 10 minutes until it is colored on all sides.
Which fats are recommended for browning and sautéing?
The recipe suggests using 6 tablespoons of either unsalted butter or olive oil.
How long do the onions need to sauté?
Sauté the finely chopped onions for 8 to 10 minutes until they are tender and translucent.
What specific spices are used in this stew?
The dish is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of ground cumin and 1 teaspoon of ground coriander.
Can I use canned tomatoes for this recipe?
Yes, you can use 1 cup of either fresh or canned peeled and seeded chopped tomatoes.
What is the purpose of adding tomato paste?
Tomato paste is used to provide flavor intensity and richness to the stew base.
Is fresh mint a required ingredient?
No, the 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh mint are optional based on your preference.
What liquid is used to braise the meat?
Use 1 cup of beef stock or water as the primary cooking liquid.
How long does the meat bake before adding the okra?
The meat mixture should bake covered for approximately 1.5 hours until the liquid is mostly absorbed.
How do I prepare the okra just before adding it to the stew?
Sauté the prepared okra in 2 tablespoons of butter or oil for 3 minutes before placing it on the stew.
What is the recommended way to arrange the okra?
Artfully arrange the sautéed okra on top of the meat in a spoke pattern.
When should I add the lemon juice?
Drizzle the juice of one lemon evenly over the surface after arranging the okra on top.
How long is the final baking step?
Bake the dish for an additional 35 minutes after the okra and lemon juice have been added.
What should I do if the stew looks too dry during cooking?
Check the dish throughout the process and add additional beef stock or water as needed.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
Serve the stew piping hot, ideally accompanied by a bed of fluffy rice.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 450 calories per serving of this Mediterranean delight.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
This dish provides approximately 35g of protein per serving.
How much fat does a serving contain?
Each serving contains approximately 20g of fat.
What type of cuisine is this dish?
This recipe is categorized as Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 2 finely minced garlic cloves.
Can I adjust the salt and pepper levels?
Yes, you should season with salt and freshly ground pepper to your personal taste.
Is this recipe considered a casserole?
Yes, it is tagged as a casserole and a slow-cooked comfort food.
How large should the meat cubes be cut?
The meat should be cut into 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
What total amount of okra is needed?
The recipe requires between 1 and 1.5 lbs of trimmed okra.
How many ingredients are used in total?
There are 14 distinct ingredients listed in this recipe.