Tagen Bamya [okra casserole] Ingredients 1⁄2 kilo okra – bam-ya 1 onion, medium size, chopped – ba-sal 1 lemon, cut in thin slices (optional) – li-moon-a 4 tomatoes, medium size – ta-ma-tam 3 tbsp corn oil – zeit dor-a 1⁄2 tsp chili powder (optional) – bood-rut shat-ta 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped – toom Salt and pepper – malh and fil-fil
Directions * With a sharp knife, remove a thin layer from the top of each okra, forming it into an inverted cone. Remove the bottom tip as well. Wash thouroughly under running water and drain. * Chop the tomatoes and blend with a half cup of water. * In a tagen, a stone casserole, mix the oil, okra, blended tomatoes, garlic, chili powder, onion, salt and pepper. Add enough water to cover the ingredients. * Arrange the lemon slices on top (optional). * Cover the tagen with aluminium foil, place in oven and cook at high heat (230-240C) for 45 to 50 minutes until the ingredients are tender. * Remove the aluminium foil from the tagen and turn on grill, broil for 10 minutes. Notes * If you would like to add meat to the, just add 1⁄2 kilo of veal or beef at step 3. * It is possible to use lamb as well, in that case boil the lamb for 20 minutes until semi-tender, before adding it at step 3.
