October is such an important month on the food calendar. Not only is it World Vegetarian Month, but the 16th is UN World Food Day and this year’s theme is “improved governance of global food security”. This means protecting and nurturing bio-diverse eco-systems.
At Hotel Mockingbird Hill, everything is made daily on site using only the freshest ingredients which are whenever possible organic . It does involve a little time but ensures that everyone involved in food production are fairly compensated, food miles are cut down, and excess packaging associated with mass-produced foods is reduced.
Okra or Lady’s Fingers is one of our favourite vegetables that is not just delicious, but is nutritious and will easily grow in northern hemisphere countries in the summer as well as tropical countries like Jamaica throughout the year, making it a staple crop here. Even if you live in an apartment block you can try cultivating it as it grows particularly well in pots! We’d like to nominate this as our vegetable of the month at Mille Fleurs and for the UN to promote on the 16th October
Spicy Lady’s Fingers Recipe
Ingredients
450 gm. okra
2 chopped tomatoes
6 tbsp. veg. oil
2 onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. garam masala
½ tsp. chili powder
1 cup yoghurt (optional)
Chopped coriander leaves
Method
Trim the okra and fry till golden brown. Remove. Fry onion and garlic till the onion begins to brown. Add salt, turmeric, garam masala and chili. Fry for a few minutes. Add a cup of hot water and simmer to make a sauce. Add the fried Okra and warm thoroughly. Add yoghurt if desired. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with rice.
