Okra is commonly associated in Southern, Creole, and Cajun cooking since it was initially introduced into the United States in the southern region. Outside of the US, it is often known as lady’s finger. For those who are not familiar with okra, it can be gooey when cooked. To minimize the sliminess, keeping the pods whole and cooking it quickly helps.
With some leftover roasted lamb meat from my post Sumac and Rosemary Crusted Lamb, I search the web for another Middle Eastern recipe that uses lamb and okra and came across this dish called Bamia or Okra Stew which originated from Egypt. This stew is usually cooked with lamb or beef in a tomato based sauce flavored with cumin and coriander. I added chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and a little turmeric, not only for the flavor but also to give it a nice, rich color. This Okra and Chickpea Stew has a slightly tangy taste from the tomatoes and a smoky flavor from the roasted meat.
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This Okra and Chickpea Stew is wonderful served with basmati rice, hummus, pickled olives and peppers.
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
lequan@luvtoeat says
April 15, 2010 at 6:28 amWhat a great idea to put chickpea in the stew. My husband doesn't like okra, but loves lamb. Maybe this is the perfect recipe to get him to give okra another shot. Thank you for sharing Biren.
Yummy Team says
April 15, 2010 at 6:49 amwow!! It looks super-delicious..
tigerfish says
April 15, 2010 at 7:33 amI like chickpeas. I like okra but never thought of making stew with them together 🙂
MaryMoh says
April 15, 2010 at 7:35 amThat's a very lovely stew…..would be so good with rice. I love okra very much. I've just had it yesterday for dinner. I added it to laksa fish.
Dimah says
April 15, 2010 at 8:44 amYum, It looks absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Tina says
April 15, 2010 at 10:00 amDelicious stew…Yummmmm.
Biren says
April 15, 2010 at 12:47 pmlequan@luvtoeat – Yes, do give it a shot. It is always nice to try new things 🙂
@Yummy Team – Thanks!
@tigerfish – First time I'm putting it together too and we love it. I hope you will give it a try.
@MaryMoh – Thanks Mary. We love okra too and eat it quite often. I have another post coming up 🙂
@Dimah – Thanks for visiting and for the nice comments.
@Tina – Thanks Tina!
motherrimmy says
April 15, 2010 at 1:33 pmThis looks healthy and delicious. I have a bag of okra in the freezer that I didn't know what to do with. I don't have lamb, but I wonder if pork or chicken would work equally as well?
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
April 15, 2010 at 1:40 pmI have had bamia before – cooked for me by an Arab mother and it was really good! I've never thought of chickepeas as an addition but it makes perfect sense if you think about it! Great tip about cooking okra whole – it really does help.
Your version look so yummy…I'd love a bowl with some flat bread!
penny aka jeroxie says
April 15, 2010 at 1:42 pmLove okra. Just made the northern thai dish with okra.
Mary says
April 15, 2010 at 5:48 pmHealthy has just met delicious! I love the way this recipe sounds. I'm shy okra at the moment but that is easily remedied and we'll try this really soon. I hope you are having a wonderful day…Mary
Cherine says
April 15, 2010 at 5:52 pmI love this stew, my mom used to make it. I should be trying it soon!
Kamalika says
April 15, 2010 at 9:28 pmLovely looking delicious dish….a grt combination too….
Juliana says
April 15, 2010 at 10:19 pmNice vegetarian dish…okra and chickpeas…love the spices in it 🙂
Biren says
April 16, 2010 at 3:10 am@motherrimmy – I think chicken will work. It can also be vegetarian 🙂
denise@quickies on the dinner table – This dish is new to me but the family really liked it and so I will cook it again. The okra and chickpeas combined very well.
@penny aka jeroxie – I like okra too and I cook it often.
@Mary – I like the way you put it, "Healthy just met delicious" 🙂 The family really enjoyed the dish.
@Cherine – I am only now discovering a little of the Middle Eastern food and I really enjoy it 🙂
@Kamalika – Thanks!
@Juliana – Thanks for visiting and for your nice comment 🙂
Veronica Lee says
April 16, 2010 at 7:12 amYummy!!! Glad I found your blog!!
Hi! Stopping by from MBC. Love your blog.
5 Star Foodie says
April 16, 2010 at 1:14 pmWhat a yummy veggie stew! I love the flavors here!
Liv Wan says
April 17, 2010 at 11:44 amLooks really yummy!!
I love Okra but don't really know how to use it.
Thank you for sharing.
bunkycooks says
April 17, 2010 at 1:28 pmI have finally converted my husband to tolerating okra! Maybe I can give this recipe a try.
Scott K says
April 19, 2010 at 6:21 pmYum! I've been playing with chickpeas a lot myself lately.
Biren says
April 20, 2010 at 3:55 am@Veronica Lee – Thanks for visiting and for your kind comments 🙂
@5 Star Foodie – Thanks!
@Liv Wan – Thanks for visiting!
@bunkycooks – I hope you'll give it a try. Once you get pass the texture, it is actually quite delicious.
@Scott K – I've always enjoyed chickpeas. They are good in spicy dishes. Also great as a snack 🙂