Freshly smoked and charred okra with smoked salmon over a salad bed of beet greens and fresh oregano.
Okra
What a fun and delicious vegetable to grow in your summertime garden! Did you know Okra can be eaten raw?
Okra has often been compared to the delicate flavor of asparagus. Nutritional properties of okra, though, far exceed our well known asparagus!
While okra is most known as an ingredient in gumbo, probably because it contributes to thickening the broth, the flavor, in my opinion, gets lost. So, maybe it’s time to rediscover okra!
This gently charred okra salad is sure to become a summertime favorite, especially when paired with a favorite smoked fish.
Smoked Okra
I like using a grill or a hibachi to get the smoke and char on the okra. You can also use a stovetop griddles or a grate over the burner fire, will get the char.
Occasionally I add fresh sprigs of oregano to the fire, or placed on a stovetop grate, then placing the okra on top will impart the fresh oregano flavor into the okra while it softens in the heat.
Smoked Salmon and Okra Salad
In my opinion, smoked salmon, or any favorite smoked fish, pairs beautifully with the lightly cooked okra but you can swap it for other proteins you prefer.
I love the texture and flavors of the two together, for making an inviting summer salad. The use of fresh herbs and greens, especially from a garden or farmers market, will make for a very proud salad!
Growing your own herbs, even if only in pots on a deck, or supporting a local farmers market are what will bring extra pride to this salad.
How To Make Smoked Okra and Salmon Salad
- First you will want to wash the beet greens and oregano and set aside.
- Second, lengthwise, cuts in the way of a long sliver from the topside of each okra, exposing the seeds, readies the okra.
- Next, prepare a hibachi, grill or a grate over the fire of a stovetop burner. Place the oregano and okra on top to smoke, char or simply lightly cook the okra, imparting flavors from the fresh herbs.
- Last, twist each long slice of smoked salmon into a long cylinder. On a serving plate, lay the beet greens, with fresh oregano leaves, top with one long, twisted smoked salmon and one roasted okra. Drizzle the lime and olive oil dressing and finish with coarse salt.
Equipment Needed
- Grill, hibachi or a grate (the kind you might cool cookies on), over a stovetop fire
- Cutting board
- Chopping knife
- Measuring spoons
- Small bowl
- Small whisk or fork
Ingredients Needed
- Okra
- Smoked salmon
- Beet greens
- Fresh oregano
- Lime
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Coarse salt
Smoked Okra and Salmon Salad
Course: Salads and VeggiesCuisine: NouvelleDifficulty: Easy4
servingsFreshly smoked and charred okra with smoked salmon over a salad bed of beet greens and fresh oregano.
Ingredients
Okra – 4
Pepper smoked salmon – 4 slices
Beet greens – 8 small or 4 medium
Fresh oregano – 4 small stalks
Lime juice and zest – 1 lime
Olive oil – 1 tbsp
Garlic – 1 clove
Coarse salt – to taste
Directions
- Whisk the olive oil, lime juice with zest and crushed garlic, in a small cup and set aside.
- Wash the beet greens and oregano and set aside.
- Lengthwise, cut a long sliver from the topside of each okra, exposing the seeds. Place on a hibachi, grill or on a stovetop griddle and roast quickly while turning. Remove.
- Twist each long slice of smoked salmon into a long cylinder.
- On each serving plate, lay the beet greens, with fresh oregano leaves. On top of the greens, place one long, twisted smoked salmon and one roasted okra. Whisk again, the olive oil mixture and drizzle across each prepared salad. Sprinkle coarse salt and serve.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Okra can be eaten raw so there is no need to char them for long, simply to impart the smoke flavor.
- Beet greens are often purchased with beetroots. Simply cut the tops, pick the most delicate, wash and use these in this salad for a lovely crisp flavor and texture.
- If using a hibachi or grill, place some fresh oregano leaves on top the fire before adding the okra. It will impart more herb flavor to the okra.
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.
