Okra Soup

Jump to Recipe

Howdy folks! 😊

‘Okra Soup’ is a big deal in these parts 🇿🇲…and I’m using the term ‘soup’ loosely here 👌🏾. That’s because this dish is eaten as an accompaniment to Nshima, and not really as a stand alone soup.

There’s 2 ways this is usually cooked – mashed up or chunky – and this is the ‘chunky version.’ 😊

Someone sent me a request for this recipe, and I obliged.

Easy to make, and delicious 😋 – so here goes :

Okra

Recipe by LubayaCourse: SidesDifficulty: Medium
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Cuisine

Zambian

Ingredients

  • 500g Okra

  • 2 Teaspoons Soda or Bicarbonate of Soda

  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt

  • 1 ripe Tomato

  • 1/2 red Onion (optional)

  • 2 cups Water

Directions

  • Wash and cut the Okra into ‘chunks’ about 2cm each, minimum. 😊
  • Also chop the tomato and onion, as shown below. I listed Onion as optional because most people don’t actually add onions to this dish. I like the subtle flavor they bring, so I add them. 😋
  • In a medium saucepan, add the water, salt and soda. Bring to the boil. 😊
  • To the boiling solution, add the tomato and onion first, and then after 3 minutes, add the Okra.
    ⛔️ Please note the cooking stick is used very sparingly, just to make sure there’s no spill over as the Okra become frothy. But not to actually stir the ingredients continuously. Remember, we want the chunks intact. 😊

    ⛔️ For the mashed Okra variety, you will want to actively whisk the Okra as it cooks.
  • After about 10 – 15 minutes of cooking and ‘controlling the froth, the water would have reduced and the okra chunks softened, but still holding their shape. Taste for seasoning.
    The dish is now ready. 😊
  • Transfer to a serving bow, and enjoy as is- or preferably with Nshima! 😋💕

2 Comments

  1. While making a picture book about Africa I came across this site. Now that I’ve found this recipe, I want to try to make it…

After reading to the end...what do you think? :-)