Okra stew is a classic Middle Eastern dish made mainly with okra and tomatoes and sometimes lamb, as in this version. It’s very flavorful, thanks to cilantro, seven spice and lemon. To keep the okra from becoming slimy, I opt to cook them whole, with the tops intact. Using frozen small okra also helps; you can find them (and Lebanese seven spice) in many supermarkets and/or Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food shops, or buy the smallest fresh okra you can find. Serve the stew with plain white rice or vermicelli rice noodles, according to tradition.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 1 hr 10 min |
| Active: | 20 min |
| Yield: | 4 to 6 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless lamb stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces (see Cook’s Note)
- 2 teaspoons Lebanese seven spice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, chopped
- One 14-ounce bag frozen small okra (see Cook’s Note)
- Kosher salt
- One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Mix the lamb with 1 teaspoon seven spice blend in a large bowl, tossing to coat, and set it aside. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add the lamb to the pot and sear until brown on all sides, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Remove the lamb from the pot and set it aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the same pot over medium heat. Saute the onion until tender and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add in the minced garlic and cilantro and stir to combine. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the okra. Stir in 1 teaspoon kosher salt, the remaining 1 teaspoon of seven spice and add the browned lamb. Add in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste and 3 cups of water.
- Cover and cook the stew over medium heat until the lamb is fully cooked, 30 to 40 minutes. Add the lemon juice to the stew right before serving. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 518 |
| Total Fat | 41 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 15 grams |
| Cholesterol | 84 milligrams |
| Sodium | 999 milligrams |
| Carbohydrates | 18 grams |
| Dietary Fiber | 5 grams |
| Sugar | 9 grams |
| Protein | 22 grams |