Okra is one of my favorite summer veggies. I picked up a couple of pounds of fresh okra and several ripe tomatoes to make stewed okra and tomatoes for supper, but I later decided to make an okra and tomato casserole. I thought it would go well with fried pork chops.
Yes, it’s true; I frequently change my mind about what I’m going to make after I pick up the ingredients. It’s certain to happen almost every time I decide to make a particular recipe. I jot down the ingredients, run up to the market, pick up the ingredients, and change my mind on the drive home.
I’m really bad about it, too. Sometimes I ask my husband what he wants to eat. I’ll gather the ingredients, then make something completely different. He says he doesn’t know why I ask him what he wants when I make what I want in the end. So true.
Today, stewed okra and tomatoes became an okra and tomato casserole with a super big pinch of fresh thyme from my herb garden. The good thing is that my husband enjoyed the casserole. Not that it would change things.
I do admit that the casserole didn’t quite compliment the pizza I made to go with it. Yes, the pork chops went by the wayside, too.
I’m sure frozen okra and canned tomatoes would work just fine in this recipe. I use fresh veggies when possible, so I’ve never made this dish with anything other than fresh veggies. If you do, please let me know how it turns out.
Here’s how to make an okra and tomato casserole:
Start by cooking the okra in pot of salted boiling water. I usually leave it whole, then boil it for about 2-3 minutes. Okra cooks fast, so don’t let boil beyond 3 minutes. It will be slimy and mushy and fall apart. I like ripe but firm tomatoes. Roughly chop 4 cups of tomatoes. Once the okra is cooled, trim the ends, and cut up the okra. Don’t worry about slicing it evenly. Toss the okra, tomatoes, thyme, and half of the bread crumbs together.
Make a white roux—Melt the butter in a small saucepan, then stir in the flour. Stir until the flour dissolves and starts to turn golden brown. Add the milk and seasoning. Cook on low heat for about 5 minutes.
Pour veggies and the roux in a small casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining breadcrumbs.
I baked the okra and tomato casserole at 350 degrees, and it took about 45 minutes for the liquid to thicken and turn a nice toasty color.
Okra and Tomato Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh whole okra
- 4 cups chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
- salt & pepper
- pinch of fresh thyme
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil okra in 6 cups of generously salted water until tender, about 2-3 minutes. Drain. When cool enough to handle, roughly chop okra.
To make a roux, melt butter in small saucepan. Add flour and stir until dissolved. Add milk, salt and pepper and cook over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often. The mixture will slightly thicken as it cooks.
Toss together okra, tomatoes, 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs and thyme. Transfer to a small baking dish. Pour seasoned milk over top of vegetables; sprinkle with remaining breadcrumbs. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until liquid is golden brown and thick.
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this casserole looks so wholesome and delicious! pinning!
Pinned! I just LOVE stewed okra and tomatoes. Hubby doesn’t so I always make a small batch for myself. Great recipe, thanks! I came to you by way of Throwback Thursday. 🙂
I’ve never actually had Okra! Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing on Throwback Thursday 🙂 🙂
This looks like the perfect casserole for summer! I love okra but I almost only eat it when it’s deep fried! 😉
Tori
mooretori.blogspot.com
This looks AMAZING! I’m going to have to try this soon! Pinning for later!
This looks AMAZING! I just pinned your recipe as a reminder to try it. I love, love, love okra. My grandparents grew it on their farm and it is one of my favorite foods.
I need to start using okra more often, this looks delicious.
I love okra! I will have to give this recipe a try!
What a comforting and delicious dish! My hubby loves okra so I will definitely need to make this for him soon!!
This looks mouthwatering! I will be saving this to my recipe board and sharing! Your pictures are beautiful. Thank you!
This looks so delicious! I LIVE for okra and tomatoes during the summer, and now I’m craving them. I’m going to the farmer’s market next weekend and I’ll keep an eye out for some fresh okra so I can make this. I’ve pinned for later 🙂
I’ve never seen okra in a casserole like this, it sounds lovely. Thank you for sharing this with everyone at this week’s Fiesta Friday, and nice to meet you 🙂
This looks so ridiculously good I think I know what’s for dinner next week haha!
It looks amazing Sherry and i’d love to give this a try! It also must be really light and great for the summer, because I try to avoid the heavy stuff when it’s hot!
Aww poor hubby! My husband found it amusing though.
Sherry, Your husbands comment made me smile. I’m sure he enjoys whatever dish you make though. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday! It really looks delicious. Pinning to share. Have a great week ahead!
I have not cooked much with okra but this has convinced me to give it a go – but I’m like you and who knows what I’ll end up with, lol!!
Thanks for sharing with us on Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
That looks delicious! I have never cooked okra, but it is on my list. This looks like a great way to use it! I also make the mistake of asking my husband what he wants for dinner sometimes. 😉 Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday!
This sounds amazing! 🙂
Did you get a new design?! Love it!!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for Crafts, Recipes, and Tips and Tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
This looks so delicious! Sharing all over the world!
I’ve never had okra before. This sounds like a great way for me to try it 😄
I don’t like okra, but this looks delish. I plan on adding this for the bbq on Monday
I haven’t made anything with okra in decades, but I did when in lived in the south. You’ve reminded me that this is a different kind of dish that would make a nice changeup from our norm.
I didn’t hear about okra before, it’s not a common vegetable in my country so I have never tasted it. Your casserole looks very delicious though, I can imagine how yummy the roasted tomatoes are.
Looks delicious! I love making casseroles because they’re so easy and delicious!
Nellwyn | http://www.thecardinalpress.com
This looks amazing! The only way I’ve ever had okra is fried…haha.
I had no idea what okra was .. this looks delicious though! Must make it for the fam!
That looks so tasty. I wonder if my kids would eat a dish like this!
Looks good! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up!
This reminds me of a dish my mom used to make when I was little. I was always given the task of slicing the okra. Needless to say it was a chore I didn’t like. Also, you’re not alone in buying supplies for one recipe and then using it for something else. I do it often.
My Dad really like okra, but I’ve never really had it (for real). I tasted it in a dried vegetable snack mix before, so that doesn’t count. This casserole looks really good with the tomato.
This reminds me so much of family dinners. Sounds amazing!
I am not a big fan if cooking but this looks so delicious, I will have to convince someone to help me make it heheeheheh who shall be the victim.
I’m not that big of a fan of okra, but I would totally give this a try! It looks so yummy!
I often change my mind about what I’m cooking once I actually get started cooking too! Your Okra and Tomato Casserole looks delicious, Sherry, a great accompaniment to just about anything. Thank you for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop. Pinning.
Delicious, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning.
I grew up eating a lot of okra prepared in a completely different way. It remains one of my favorite veggies.