The Iraqi Family Cookbook

The Iraqi Family Cookbook
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Saturday, May 19, 2007

Okra with Lamb Stew- Bamya


This is a very popular dish in Iraq. When you serve it in soup bowl with bread, it is called Shourbat Bamya, which is okra soup.
1 pound fresh or frozen okra
1 pound stewing lamb or beef
2 teaspoons oil
1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
3 cloves garlic, sliced
½ cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups of water

Rinse the meat and drain in a colander. Heat oil in a pan and saute meat for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, water and tomato sauce, and simmer on low heat for 40 minutes, until the meat is tender. Add the okra and salt. Cook in the sauce for 20 minutes. Add the lemon juice and simmer for 10 more minutes.
Serve it with white plain rice.

When using fresh okra, make sure to cut off the stem side of the okra.