OKRA STEW - BAMYA

Okra Stew - Bamya

Ingredients:

• 1.5 to 2.0 pounds of fresh Okra
• 2 medium/large onions
• 4 to 5 ripe tomatoes
• 1/2 lemon or 1 lime
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• salt and black-pepper
• 1 cayenne pepper or 1/2 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper (optional)

Steps:

• peel/chop onions and lightly brown in pot
• quickly wash Okra in cold water and drain, place on paper towel. Remove stems from Okra and pierce each with knife
• Place Okra in pot and stir-fry with onions for about 5 minutes
• Add chopped tomatoes (peeling and seeding optional), cover lid for a few minutes
• Add enough water to cover okra, add salt and pepper, add lemon/lime juice, add cayenne
• bring to boil, cover lid and let it simmer for 20 minutes over low heat
• open lid and let it cook for another 5 minutes

BULGUR LENTIL PILAF - BULGURLU MERCIMEK PILAVI

Bulgur Lentil Pilaf - Bulgurlu Mercimek Pilavi

Ingredients:

• 2 medium onions
• 2 tomatoes - peeled/seeded/chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 cup brown lentils
• 1 cup medium coarse bulgur
• 2 cups hot water
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• salt and black pepper

Steps:

• wash lentils and boil gently for 10 minutes, drain using cold water
• chop and lightly brown onions in olive oil, add chopped tomatoes...add tomato paste
• add lentils to onion/tomato and gently stir for a minute
• add 2 cups of hot water and bring to a boil, add salt and pepper to taste
• place bulgur in strainer and run cold water over it, drain and add to boiling mixture
• simmer for 20 minutes on gentle heat
• turn off heat, place paper towel over pot and place lid, keep covered for 20 minutes

KOLOKAS - TARO ROOT STEW (vegetarian)

KOLOKAS - TARO ROOT STEW (vegetarian)

Ingredients:

• 2.5 pounds of taro root (kolokas, sato imo - japanese)
• 4 stems of celery (optional)
• 2 large onions
• 4 medium tomatoes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 to 2 tablespoon(s) tomato paste
• 1.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups water (boiling to speed cooking time)

Steps:

• peel/wash/dry taro root...use knife to crack irregular pieces (2 to 3 cm, 1 inch)
• onions and lightly brown in olive oil in pressure cooker (without the lid on)
• add chopped celery (optional)
• peel/seed/chop tomatoes and add to onions
• add tomato paste and boiling water
• add taro root, salt and pepper
• place/lock pressure cooker lid
• Cook for 5 minutes once steam starts to release
• Turn off heat and leave lid in locked position until all steam is released and safe to open
• Serve over noodle rice

Hellimli/Halloumi Cup Cakes (Cheese Muffins)

Hellimli/Halloumi Cup Cakes (Cheese Muffins)

Ingredients:

• 4 Eggs
• 4 cups of flour
• 2 teaspoons of Baking Powder
• 2 cups Milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups grated Cypriot Halloumi
• 1 teaspoon of mint

Steps:

• Whip Eggs, add milk, oil, baking powder
• Mix in cheese, mint and flour
• Grease cup cake trays
• Place in cup cake trays (3/4 full)
• Bake in 325F oven for 30 minutes