Baked Okra

I keep almost typing Oprah. Baked Oprah.

Baked Okra

These look crazy, I know I know I know. BUT (!!!) you’re going to freak out. This is quite possibly the easiest, most face-punchingly delicious way to eat okra ON THE PLAAANNNEETTTTTT. (said like baked Oprah)

They’re baked! Aaaaand wait for it – not slimy. Not one bit. Something magical happens in the oven whilst roasting. The slime actually packs its bags and hitchhikes with an orphaned leprechaun to a mossy cliff in the Elderlands.

What, you can’t make this stuff up.

Get a load of this okra.

Baked Okra

Isn’t that so pretty? It’s like candy. Except that it’s not at all like candy.

Did you know that all okra turns green when cooked? Oh, it does.

Did you know, Oprah?

Hello?

Baked Okra  Baked Okra

Only twenty minutes. Bam. Ten on one side, ten on the other. I just seasoned it with a little salt, pepper and crushed red pepper. That’s it. And the bells of southern glory rang within every molecule of my soul.

Wait, souls don’t have molecules, do they? Not in the traditional sense anyway. Oprah, do you know?

Hello?

I’m showing you these as an appetizer, and believe me, you should present them this way at some point. But the way I served them for dinner was on top of a huge mound of creamy polenta with seared Cajun shrimp and tomatoes. Frickin’ unreal.

Baked Okra

I bet Oprah would’ve liked it.

Baked Okra:

* 1 pound fresh okra (or however many little buckets you choose at the market)
* 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 pinch crushed red pepper
* coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Preheat your oven to 400.

Slice the okra in half lengthwise. Arrange on a baking sheet and drizzle with the oil. Season with salt, pepper and the crushed red pepper.

Roast for 10 minutes. Flip and roast 10 more minutes.

THAT IS IT.

*serve with some lemon spritzes for extra whoa.

Baked Okra

Oh! Halloween appetizer! Baked witch fingers? YES.

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11 Responses to Baked Okra

  1. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Healthd August 19, 2014 at 8:06 am #
    i like okra fried every now and then if they are not slimy but these look delicious...
  2. Jacki @ Two Forks One Love August 19, 2014 at 8:21 am #
    I wish I had this recipe last year when I had okra coming out of my garden in groves! I didn't plant it this year because I had way too much last year.
  3. Leslie @An Elephant in London August 19, 2014 at 9:04 am #
    I love it! Thanks, Bev.
  4. Jesse August 19, 2014 at 9:10 am #
    Baked Oprah. Crying.
  5. Betty Greiner August 19, 2014 at 9:14 am #
    Bev - I just roasted okra for the first time Sunday. I cut mine into smaller pieces but I like your way better. I'll try that with the okra that I have left. Thanks for the idea!
  6. Racheal August 19, 2014 at 9:23 am #
    We have roasted okra for dinner at least once a week, but I have never added crushed red pepper. That will change tonight. Thanks!
  7. Sarah @ People,Places&Plates August 19, 2014 at 12:36 pm #
    I've never tried okra...actually not sure if I've even seen it in stores here..will try and track it down! Looks great!
  8. Julie August 19, 2014 at 2:36 pm #
    Ha ha love the witch fingers idea!
  9. Nathalie C. | Devoted Foodie August 19, 2014 at 8:21 pm #
    Not usually a fan of okra because it's slimy but I love baked okra!
  10. Millie l Add A Little August 20, 2014 at 1:27 am #
    Baked oprah haha! I adore okra!! So tasty on rice! These look amazing and the colour is gorgeous!
  11. Carol at Wild Goose Tea August 25, 2014 at 6:43 pm #
    I had no idea okra could look so gorgeous. Actually what to do with okra came up at our family reunion not too long ago. Someone bought some fresh & then we Northerners all stood around and looked at it scratching our heads. Lol.

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