Okra is a celebrated vegetable during it’s season. In Eastern Mediterranean countries, the locals go to the market where they pick the okra one by one! It must be as small as possible so it can be tender when cooked. I became friends with okra only as an adult. I love many versions of okra recipes, this particular one is a simple Levant recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 LB fresh okra, washed and dried.
• 1 fresh lemon juice
• 2 T olive oil
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 2 T sugar
• 4 tomatoes chopped
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Place the okra in a bowl, pour the lemon juice and let it marinade for about 15 minutes.
2. Heat olive oil in a heavy bottom shallow pan
3. Add the onions until soft
4. Add the garlic, and remove the okra from the lemon juice and add into to the pan.
5. Fry the it for about 4 minutes, sprinkle the sugar and add the chopped tomatoes
6. Add the cilantro and cook for another 2 minutes until okra is tender.

Enjoy!