Cooking healthy vegetables doesn’t have to be a difficult and time-consuming activity. Believe it or not, your microwave can simplify the process while saving you some much-needed time.
Okra, or lady’s fingers, is one of the vegetables you can cook in the microwave, but if you follow the wrong procedure, you could end up with an overcooked or undercooked mess.
Here is how to cook Okra in the microwave?
Clean the okra thoroughly and pat to dry. Please place them in a single layer in a microwave-safe casserole dish and add two tablespoons of water. Cover with a microwave-safe cover and microwave on high heat for 3 minutes, stir, then reheat for 2 minutes or until soft.
This article will cover all the relevant information you need to know regarding microwaving okra. We will also look into the proper step-by-step process you should follow when preparing and microwaving okra. Finally, we will answer some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Can you safely cook okra in the microwave?
Yes, it is possible to cook okra in the microwave.
Microwaving okra is an easy and hassle-free method of cooking it. All you need to microwave okra is a microwave-safe casserole dish or bowl, the cover, some water, and your well-washed okra.
Using the microwave to cook okra saves cooking time and dishwashing time since you can heat and serve it in the same bowl.
How long does it take to cook okra in a microwave?
It takes five minutes to cook okra in a microwave.
You need to take out the okra at the three-minute mark and stir it to ensure even heating. Microwaves tend to have hot and cold spots, so mixing the okra will help with even heat distribution. You will know that the okra is ready when it becomes softer. Cooking beyond this time will cause it to overcook, lose nutrients and affect the taste.
How to tell if okra is spoiled
You can tell that okra is spoiled if there are changes in the texture or appearance of the okra.
The changes you will observe on the spoiled raw okra include the darkening of the pods (which may also appear spotty), the presence of mold, a wet or slimy coating, and discoloration on the tips of the okra. Spoiled okra should be thrown out, as it is not safe for consumption. Eating it in this state can lead to severe food poisoning.
How do you keep cooked okra fresh?
Keep cooked okra fresh by freezing it in airtight zip lock bags. Suck out as much air as possible from the bags before storing.
Labeling the bags with dates will also help you keep track of the okra, especially if you have several items in your freezer. You can keep frozen okra fresh for several months.
How do I reduce the slime when cooking okra?
You can reduce the slime when cooking okra by doing the following:
- Inspect the okra before buying. Fresh okra should be slim, tender to the touch, evenly green, and not have any blemishes. Spoiled okra will be slimy.
- Cut the okra while it is still frozen.
- Wash okra under cold water and then pat with a kitchen towel to dry.
- Soak the okra in a mixture of vinegar and water (1 cup of vinegar to one liter of water) for half an hour before cooking.
- Cook okra with tomatoes. The acidity present in tomatoes will prevent slimy okra.
- Frying, roasting, or grilling the okra in high heat is also quite effective.
How to prepare okra for cooking
Begin by rinsing the pods under cold water. To remove the fuzzy coating, gently scrub the pods using a vegetable brush.
Slice off the stem end from each pod without cutting the pod itself. Although this step takes some time, it ensures that the entire cooked pod is edible. Afterward, cut the okra into big cross-sectional chunks.
If you do not want the okra to be slimy, soak it in a mixture of water and vinegar (1 cup of vinegar to 1 liter of water) for 30 minutes, then rinse properly under cold water to remove any residue.
A Guide for Cooking Okra in a Microwave
Follow this process to get the perfectly microwaved okra every time.
Step 1 – Prepare the okra for cooking
Rinse the okra well before cooking, and follow the instructions given above to prepare the okra before microwaving.
Step 2 – Place okra in a microwave-safe casserole dish
Put the okra in a single layer in a microwave-safe casserole dish. Do not overcrowd or pile them on each other because that will make them cook unevenly. A microwave-safe dish is a necessary safety precaution because the dish can withstand high microwave temperatures without posing a fire or health hazard.
Step 3 – Add two tablespoons of water
Add two tablespoons of water to the dish. The water will provide the moisture needed to keep the okra from sticking to the bottom of the bowl, which would be quite messy. The steam from the water also helps cook the okra.
Step 4 – Cover the dish
Place a microwave-safe cover on the dish, then place it in the microwave.
Step 5 – Microwave on high heat for 3 minutes
Apply the high heat setting for three minutes. The ideal temperature for microwaving okra is 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 6 – Carefully remove and stir
Remove the dish carefully and stir. Use mittens to prevent any burns to your hands. Stirring the okra will encourage even heat distribution since microwaves have hot and cold spots, which may cause uneven food heating. Replace the okra in a single layer after stirring.
Step 7 – Reheat for two minutes or until tender
Microwave for two more minutes or until the okra becomes tender. Do not overcook because the okra can become mushy and unpalatable.
After microwaving, you can season the okra with salt and herbs to achieve your preferred flavor.
Tips for cooking okra in the microwave
Follow these additional tips for the best results when microwaving okra:
- Buy fresh pods. When shopping for okra, select the slim, even-colored, unblemished pods. Smaller pods also have fewer seeds and slime, which is better for cooking.
- Store okra properly before cooking. To maintain the freshness, store the okra in an airtight zip lock bag, and suck all the air out before sealing. Store them in the refrigerator or freezer. Use within two to three days. Before cooking, inspect the okra for any discoloration or blemishes, indicating that the okra has gone bad and is unsuitable for cooking.
- Ensure they are completely dry before cooking. Pat the okra completely dry before microwaving. Microwaving wet pods will produce slime, which may be undesirable.
- Cook in small batches. Do not pile the okra pods on each other, increasing cooking time and contributing to uneven cooking. Cook in small batches and only a single layer at a time to ensure optimum heating.
- Cook in high heat. The ideal temperature for microwaving okra is between 350 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking at high temperatures will ensure they are well done and not slimy.
Faqs On How to Cook Okra in the Microwave
Can okra be cooked in the microwave?
Yes, okra can be cooked in the microwave. Place the clean and chopped okra in a microwave-safe casserole dish, add two tablespoons of water, and cover. Microwave on high heat for 3 minutes, then stir. Reheat for two more minutes or until they are softened up.
Can frozen okra be microwaved?
Yes, you can microwave frozen okra. Cut the frozen okra into big cross-sectional chunks, and place them in a microwave-safe casserole dish with two tablespoons of water.
Microwave on high for five minutes, and then stir. Reheat for one-minute intervals until they become soft.
How do you cook okra without it getting slimy?
To prevent okra from getting slimy when cooking, soak in water and vinegar mix for half an hour before cooking.
Cutting the okra while it is still frozen and rinsing well under cold water will also keep it from getting slimy. Grilling, frying, or roasting okra is also effective if you want to avoid slime.
How long should okra be cooked?
Okra should be cooked for five minutes in the microwave. At the three-minute mark, you should remove the okra and stir. It may take a minute or two extra to microwave frozen okra.
You will know the okra is ready once it softens up, but do not cook for longer than the recommended time because this will alter the taste and destroy nutrients.
How do you get the slime out of okra?
You can remove the slime from okra by frying it in high heat or cooking it with tomatoes.
Cutting the okra while it is frozen, rinsing it under cold water, and soaking it in a mix of water and vinegar will also eliminate the slime.
How do you get slime out of frozen okra?
You can get slime out of frozen okra by cutting it while it’s frozen. Rinsing the frozen okra under cold water, then patting it dry will also get the slime out.
You can also get slime out of frozen okra by soaking it in a mix of vinegar and water for half an hour before cooking.
Is the slime in okra good for you?
Yes, the slime in okra is good for you. Okra slime, called mucilage, contains soluble fiber that helps digestion. Mucilage also contains antioxidants and antimicrobial properties.
Additionally, it is a good source of minerals and vitamins such as magnesium and folate. Some research also shows that mucilage reduces the risk of diabetes.
Do you thaw frozen okra before frying?
Yes. Before you fry okra, you need to thaw it. You can quickly defrost the okra by microwaving it on the defrost setting until it is completely thawed.
Another effective method is placing the frozen okra in the fridge overnight. This should help to prepare it for frying.
Can okra be used as a lubricant?
Yes, okra can be used to make organic lubricant. To make the lubricant, you must soak okra in water (using four gallons of water for every pound of okra) for at least 24 hours.
The lubricant can be used for cooling and lubricating tools.
Conclusion
Microwaving okra is a quick and easy way to cook it. To prepare okra for cooking, rinse thoroughly under cold water and pat dry. You may soak in vinegar if you prefer okra without slime.
Using microwave-safe utensils is key to preventing accidents when cooking okra in the microwave.
When the okra gets soft, then you know it’s ready. Avoid overcooking okra because it will affect its taste and reduce its nutritional value.
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