Okra Soup

This summertime or early-fall soup is based on the food tradition of Gullah-Geechee people, descendants of African slaves living in the Low Country of the United States, that features fresh okra. It's distinct from thicker, more meat-heavy Louisiana gumbo.

Ingredients:

1 large onion, peeled and chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, cored and chopped

2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

1 medium tomato, grated OR diced

2½ cups fresh okra, trimmed and sliced into bite-size pieces

2 cups fresh or frozen sweet corn

4 tbsp. cooking oil

1 (15 oz) lima beans OR butter beans

1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes

4 cups vegetable stock OR water

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. ground black pepper

½ tsp. red pepper flakes

2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

Steamed rice, for serving (optional)

Equipment:

Cutting board
Kitchen knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Cooktop
Large pot with a lid
Medium skillet
Wooden spoon

Ingredients:

1 large onion, peeled and chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, cored and chopped

2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

1 medium tomato, grated OR diced

2½ cups fresh okra, trimmed and sliced into bite-size pieces

2 cups fresh or frozen sweet corn

4 tbsp. cooking oil

1 (15 oz) lima beans OR butter beans

1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes

4 cups vegetable stock OR water

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. ground black pepper

½ tsp. red pepper flakes

2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

Steamed rice, for serving (optional)

Equipment:

Cutting board
Kitchen knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Cooktop
Large pot with a lid
Medium skillet
Wooden spoon

Directions:

  1. Wash and prepare the fresh ingredients by peeling, chopping, coring, mincing, grating, trimming, and slicing them as noted in the ingredients list.
  2. Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  3. Carefully add the onion, listening for the sizzling sound. Cook until translucent, about 10 minutes.
  4. Add the garlic and bell peppers and cook for another 5 minutes.
  5. Mix in the corn and white beans.
  6. Add the canned tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, vegetable stock, salt and pepper and stir.
  7. Turn the heat down to low and cook for 20 minutes.
  8. In a skillet, heat the remaining 2 tbsp. oil over medium-high heat. Carefully add the okra, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper, and stir. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes.
  9. Once the broth mixture has simmered for 20 minutes, carefully add the okra. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes.