Vegetarian...not difficult and affordable. Being creative with meatless food is not a challenge if you have a creative bug. Here is one of my creative bug recipes.
Prep Time: 40 mins
Bake Time: 20/25 mins
Ready In: 1hr/1hr 5 mins
Ingredients:
½ kg okra (also known as lady finger)
½ litre butter milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 small egg plants
Salt and pepper to taste
½ cup pine nuts
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
500g corn flour
2 tspn cayenne pepper (optional)
Directions:
• Preheat oven to 2200C/Gas mark 7
• In a large bowl, place the okra, pour buttermilk over it, cover with cling film wrap, set aside for 30 mins
• On a baking tray, layered with foil paper, drizzle some olive oil/vegetable oil over the eggplant cut side down. Bake until soft for about 20 mins. Reduce the oven heat to 2000F/1000C
• Once soft, scoop the meat of the eggplant onto a blender; add the nuts, 1 cup water, remain oil, lemon juice and zest. Puree until soft, season with salt and pepper then transfer into a bowl, cover and set aside
• In a shallow bowl, combine cornmeal, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. In batches, dredge okra in the cornmeal mixture then deep fry until golden brown
• Serve hot with eggplant dip