Okra the Alien Vegetable

 

Okra - The Alien Vegetable

I remember it like it was yesterday, my family sat down to the meal my mom laid out for us; I made my quick inventory of what was for dinner, deciding what I wanted most... then I saw it. Something green and slimy, with little slimy balls stuck inside.  A quick glance to my mother and the set look on her face let me know she was completely serious about what was on the table, she was determined to make us eat the Alien Food!  Surely Not! My mom, seeing my face, told me it was "Okra."  What kind of name is okra?!  I watched in dread as a heaping spoonful was piled on my plate and my mother, cautious of the potential adolescent outburst, softly said "just try it."  This is when I knew my parents had been replaced by Pod People.  It was the only logical explanation as to why my mother, who said she loved me dearly, would attempt to end me with this slug filled "food"!
Well, I survived and it turned out my parents weren't Pod People.  I don't think Pod People are allowed to show such an intense emotion as rage, like the kind my parents showed when I attempted to get out of eating the okra by putting it on my brother's plate and proclaiming I wasn't eating dinner that night. 

Fast-forward 15ish years and you would find newlywed me freshly settled in Florida to be near my new hubby's family. I was a little lonely for my family (none of which lived in Florida), so when we received a dinner invitation from my grandfather's elderly cousin and his wife, we were quick to accept. My husband and I would joke that our first "couple friends" were in their 80s. They were wonderful people, the conversation was interesting and dinner smelled great!  We sat down for dinner and, gasp, there it was again... after years of avoidance, okra was again on the menu!  I put on my polite-brave face and only wondered for a minute if they would notice if I put it on our host's plate (hey, it was the closest plate to mine), but I was good and, with a deep breath, took my first bite in years.  I was pleasantly surprised!  The once strangely fuzzy texture of the outside of the vegetable was tastily toasted with a simple coating of an egg and Parmesan cheese mix, sauteed up in olive oil.  The previously perceived slimy texture was now a textural compliment to the lightly toasted outside.  I had seconds. 

I recently jumped on the "Clean Eating" train, which includes eating lots of fresh veggies and fruits.  After years of struggling with my weight I finally reached out for help and true guidance on what to eat.  It has made a very big impact on my life and I can't recommend it enough!  Message me if you would like more details. 

I have added Okra into my regular diet.  I enjoy this veggie several times a week and am trying new ways to enjoy this strange food. Here is one of my favorite way to enjoy it:

 

Sauteed Okra with Feta!

Ingredients:

2 1/2C Frozen Okra
1t Garlic Powder
1t Smoked Paprika
1/2t Cayenne Pepper
3T Feta Cheese
2t Olive Oil

Directions:

Mix okra and olive oil in a skillet on medium heat, stirring until okra is thawed.  Once okra is thawed, slightly turn up heat and add Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika & Cayenne Pepper. Mix well.

Place okra in a mixing bowl and add Feta Cheese, mixing well.

(Serves 2 - 1 Serving is 1 Green Container of the 21 Day Fix and 1/2 Blue Container)

I also enjoy the frozen mixed bag of veggies that includes okra, and throwing that together with a little whole grain rice and a tasty pork chop!  Keep an eye out for my Baked Pork Chops!  Until then, give okra a try! :)