Pat: Few flavor combinations sing “summertime in the South” more than okra and tomatoes. Some people find okra intimidating to cook, but it’s really very simple. If okra is cooked for too long over too low a heat, it can turn slimy and limp. The secret is first searing the okra over a very high heat, then finishing it for a few minutes in the piquant tomato sauce. This method prevents the okra from getting gooey (frying okra does the same thing). Okra and tomatoes are great alongside fried fish, or any roasted or grilled meat, and they also pair well over a creamy starch like grits or spoonbread.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4 to 6

　　3 tablespoons olive oil

　　1 medium onion, diced

　　3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

　　2 tablespoons tomato paste

　　One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes with juice

　　1/2 teaspoon salt

　　1/2 teaspoon black pepper

　　1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves

　　1/2 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes

　　2 bay leaves

　　2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

　　1 1/3 cups Chicken Stock (page 28)

　　1 1/2 pounds okra, cut into 1 1/2-inch thick slices (about 3 cups)

　　

Step 1

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and garlic, and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, rosemary, red-pepper flakes, bay leaves, and vinegar, and cook for 10 minutes, until the tomatoes start to break down and form a paste. Add the chicken stock, return to a simmer, and cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

　　

Step 2

While the tomato sauce cooks, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is very hot and shimmering, sauté the okra for about 5 minutes, until lightly browned, then add the okra to the tomato sauce. Simmer the okra tomato mixture for 2 to 3 more minutes, remove the bay leaves, and then serve.

　　From Down Home with the Neelys by Patrick and Gina Neely Copyright (c) 2009 by Patrick and Gina Neely Published by Knopf.Patrick and Gina Neely are owners of Neely's Bar-B-Que in Memphis and hosts of several Food Network shows, including the series Down Home with the Neelys, one of the highest-rated programs to debut on the popular Food Network. High school sweethearts who reconciled at their ten-year reunion, they have been married since 1994. They live in Memphis with their two daughters.Paula Disbrowe collaborated with Susan Spicer on Crescent City Cooking and is the author of Cowgirl Cuisine.