₦airaland Forum

OKRA - Bamia, Bindi, Lady’s Finger

Okra grows in an elongated, lantern shape vegetable. It is a fuzzy, green colored, and ribbed pod that is approximately 2-7 inches in length. This vegetable is more famously known by its rows of tiny seeds and slimy or sticky texture when cut open. Okra is also known as bamia, bindi, bhindi, lady's finger, and gumbo, is a member of the cotton (Mallow) family.

Okra was discovered around Ethiopia during the 12th century B.C. and was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians. This vegetable soon flourished throughout North Africa and the Middle East where the seed pods were consumed cooked and the seeds toasted, ground, and served as a coffee substitute. With the advent of the slave trade, it eventually came to North America and is now commonly grown in the southern United States. You’ll now see okra in African, Middle Eastern, Greek, Turkish, Indian, Caribbean, and South American cuisines.

Okra is commonly associated in Southern, Creole, and Cajun cooking since it was initially introduced into the United States in its southern region. It grows well in the southern United States where there is little frost.

Okra is a powerhouse of valuable nutrients. It is a good source of vitamin C. It is low in calories and is fat-free.

·Varieties

·Clemson variety is dark green with angular pods. This okra takes less than two months to mature.

·Emerald type is dark green, with smooth round pods.
Lee is a spineless type known by its deep bright green, very straight angular pods.

·Annie Oakley is a hybrid, spineless kind of okra with bright green, angular pods. It takes less than two months from seeding to maturity.

·Chinese okra is a dark green type grown in California and reaches 10 to 13 inches in length. These extra-long okra pods are sometimes called "ladyfingers."

·Purple Okra a rare variety you may see at peak times. There is a version grown for its leaves that resemble sorrel in New Guinea.

Availability, Selection, and Storage
Okra is available year-round, with a peak season during the summer months. It is available either frozen or fresh. When buying fresh okra, make sure that you select dry, firm, okra. They should be medium to dark green in color and blemish-free. Fresh okra should be used the same day that it was purchased or stored paper bag in the warmest part of the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Severe cold temperatures will speed up okra decay. Do not wash the okra pods until ready to use, or it will become slimy.

Preparation
When preparing, remember that the more it is cut, the slimier it will become. Its various uses allow for okra to be added to many different recipes. Okra is commonly used as a thicken agent in soups and stews because of its sticky core. However, okra may also be steamed, boiled, pickled, sautéed, or stir-fried whole. Okra is a sensitive vegetable and should not be cooked in pans made of iron, copper or brass since the chemical properties turns okra black.

Young Versus Mature Okra - What is the difference?
Most okra pods are ready to be harvested in less than two months of planting. If the okra is going be consumed, then these pods must be harvested when they are very young. They are usually picked when they are two to three inches long, or tender stage.

Okra pods grow quickly from the tender to tough stage. Pods are considered mature when they exceed three inches in length. Mature okra is tough and is not recommended for use in certain recipes.

How do I reduce okra slime?
Most people who have eaten or have cooked okra, know about the okra slime. Some recipes call for the whole okra, but how do you deal with the okra slime?

There are few ways to minimize the slime:
Simply trim the off the ends and avoid puncturing the okra capsule.
You can also minimize the slime factor by avoiding the tendency to overcook okra.

Make Okra Part of Your 5 A Day Plan

·Boil or microwave whole until just tender. Dress with lemon juice and ground pepper.

·Stew with tomatoes. Serve over rice.

·Add okra to curries or sauté with spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, or curry powder.

·If okra is used in a soup, stew or casserole that requires longer cooking, it should be cut up, to exude its juices, and thicken.

·Okra pods can be sliced, dipped in egg, breaded with corn meal and baked.

·Sauté okra with corn kernels, onion and sweet peppers for a tasty side dish.

·Okra has a similar flavor to eggplant and can be used as a substitute in your favorite recipes.

Source: http://www.foodreference.com/html/art-okra-types-tips.html

hallo @topbooty:

Thanks for letting me know about the higg calorie. I am 5'5 162lbs. I am trying to lose weight so thanks for pointing that out to me. You see, I eat lots of banana b/c i was told it's rich in iron and i suffer iron diff. even though i take iron tablets.

another reason why i eat plenty bananas is b/c i was told that it helps release period pain. Well, for the sake of calories, i'll cut down on eating them

Prayer for Calm and Comfort

With your soothing fingers,
wipe away the lines that worries have etched on our faces.
Surround us with calm,
let us rest in the glow of peace,
as if we were encircled with the Moon's own light.
Let our concerns and tensions drain away from us,
pouring as water into your Earth.


- Ceisiwr Serith

I am a C'bbean ouman and I've been asked many times if I am Nigerian, they said it's my feature.  Once or twice I've been asked if I am Ghanian, they also said it's my feature.  However, I find some Africans’ attitude toward C'bbean women a little anti-social.

I remember telling this African dude that my father was Nigerian and my mother is C'bbean and he said that I am not really an African and my blood’s not pure. And so I said, "well we all are one and he must remember that Africa was decimated by slavery.

We need to get out of this trbal mentality.  African vs c'bbean vs african american and especially africans vs africans It is because of this tribal mentality thats why we keep killing each other.

Africa is separated into distinct tribal areas, which are also split into micro-tribes, which as they grow, push and strain at each other. Add into that mix, groups separated by religion, people wanting power and you have an ever evolving mix of people who all know the "one way to live".

Until we rid ourselves of Dominance ,Power Control, envy and greed we'll never get along. And to all the Africans countries who are fighting against each other, I am of the opinion that no outside use of force can bring peace, only a leader of strong morals and convictions can do that,  and who knows if we will ever see such a leader stand up and lead without getting gunned down.

Life is too short for people to be worrying about their identity.  And I think that's another reason why, Africa as the Motherland will not survive the crises they face today. And who to blame? "us"

Peace

What is evil?

Killing is evil, lying is evil, slandering is evil, abuse is evil, gossip is evil: envy is evil, hatred is evil, to cling to false doctrine is evil; all these things are evil. And what is the root of evil? Desire is the root of evil, illusion is the root of evil.

1)60% people have diabetes, and 56% have insomnia. None have neither. What is the probabaility that a person with insomnia has no diabetes.

2) A has 4 prime factors. B has 3 prime factors. 15 is a common factor to A and B . How many prime factors does AB have.

3) An ellipse is inscribed in a rectangle . The area of an ellipse is given by 1/2 * pi* a * b , where a is the length of the minor axis , and b the major axis. What is the area of the ellipse .

1) Length of the rectangle is 12

2) Breadth of the rectangle is 24.

But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love

I am watching and listening to Fela


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4AA6EuZe-k&feature=related

This is what we have been waiting for, the true answers to 5 really important questions:

Q1: WHAT ARE THE SMALL BUMPS AROUND NIPPLES FOR?
A : It's Braille for "I need attention"

Q2. WHAT IS AN AUSTRALIAN KISS?
A : It's the same as a French kiss, only down under."

Q3 WHAT DO YOU DO WITH 365 USED CONDOMS?
A : Melt them down, make a tire, and call it a Goodyear.

Q4. WHY ARE HURRICANES NORMALLY NAMED AFTER WOMEN?
A : Because when they come, they're wild and wet. But when they go, they take your house and car with them.

Q5. WHY DO GIRLS RUB THEIR EYES WHEN THEY GET UP IN THE MORNING?
A : Because they don't have any balls to scratch.

iice

Thanks

Not sure how to delete, so I hope the Mod delete 4 me

iice,

thanks. will delete thread

I find this thread very interesting

I didn't see any topics like this. What music are you listening to or what are you watching right now?

Right now I am watching the fresh prince of Bel Air

Just because no one has been fortunate enough to realize what a gold mine you are,
Doesn't mean you shine any less.

Just because no one has been smart enough to figure out that you can't be topped,
Doesn't stop you from being the best.

Just because no one has come along to share your life,
Doesn't mean that day isn't coming.

Just because no one has made this race worthwhile,
Doesn't give you permission to stop running.

Just because no one has realized how much of an
awesome woman you are,
Doesn't mean they can affect your femininity.

Just because no one has shown up who can love you on your level,
Doesn't mean you have to sink to theirs.

Just because you deserve the very best there is,
Doesn't mean that life is always fair.

Just because God is still preparing your king,
Doesn't mean that you're not already a Queen.

Just because your situation doesn't seem to be progressing right now,
Doesn't mean you need to change a thing.

Keep shining, keep running, Keep hoping, and keep praying,
Keep being exactly what you are already. COMPLETE!!

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. 'Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, he's a doctor.' A small voice at the back of the room rang out, 'And there's the teacher; she's dead.'

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: 'Take only ONE . God is watching.' Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, 'Take all you want. God is watching the apples.'

Click on link below

Look closely and be sure to listen,

http://www.zippyvideos.com/5822133296187226/peepingtom/

Why man is the cause of woman's problems,

Believe it or not,

Woman has Man in it;
Mrs. has Mr . in it;
Female has Male in it;
She has He in it;
Madam has Adam in it;
No wonder men always want to be inside women!

Here are some superstitious saying from my country

If you leave your bag on the floor - you'll never get rich

when you left hand itch you getting money

You won't get married if you eat from a pot

if you sneeze continuously, then somebody calling you name

you should not open an umbrella in the house cause jumbie(ghost) is gonna follow you

Don't be a hypocrite, -  Don't talk behind my back and laugh with me to my face

I was going by this. See link below

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/primary_rdp;_ylt=ApJ_C9UuleZg2UmqXZCEAIJh24cA

Peace

I was vacationing in Atlanta and I ate alligator not knowing it was alligator. The name that was on the menu didn't read alligator.

Peace

Lol @ the subject heading. I wish I had the answer to give you

Peace

Clinton wins Democratic primary in Pennsylvania.

Toyo:

In my country (superstitious saying) one is told not to eat bananas after 6pm. Reason: It could stay on your stomach and kill you. I have eaten bananas in the night, but I don't make it a habit. Guess i am a little superstitious

Man comes home, finds his wife with his friend in bed. He shoots his friend and kills him. 
Wife says "If you behave like this, you will lose ALL your friends" .

ifyal: This one had me in stitches. I am going through the jokes so sorry for the late response

Peace

The phone bill was exceptionally high and the man of the house called a family meeting.

Dad: People this is unacceptable. You have to limit the use of the phone. I do not use this phone, I use the one at the office.

Mum: Same here, I hardly use this home telephone as I use my work telephone

Son: Me too, I never use the home phone. I always use my company mobile

Maid: So what is the problem? We all use our work telephones.

alsh:

I like this one.

cute!!