2133. GEORGIA OKRA, TOMATO and BACON MULL

makes 6 servings


2 pounds fresh small okra, washed and stems removed
6 slices lean bacon (any style), cut into small pieces
2 medium onions, chopped
6 large, ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
Tabasco sauce to taste

Place the okra in a large saucepan, add enough water to cover, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to moderately low, and simmer till tender, about 10 minutes. Drain the okra in a colander.

In a large skillet, fry the bacon over moderate heat till crisp and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the grease, add the onions, and stir for about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, thyme, and salt, season with pepper and Tabasco, stir well, reduce the heat to low, and simmer till the tomatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. Add the okra and bacon, stir gently, and simmer about 10 minutes longer before serving hot.


bacon recipe courtesy of: The Bacon Cookbook: More than 150 Recipes from Around the World for Everyone's Favorite Food by James Villas. Wiley, 2007