St. Kitts Stewed Pork with Okra
Tender chunks of pork stewed in a rich, savory gravy with the unique texture of okra, a comforting and flavorful dish representative of Kittitian home cooking.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Pork shoulder(cut into 1.5-inch cubes)
- 500 g Okra(trimmed and sliced)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 medium Bell pepper(chopped (any color))
- 400 g Tomatoes(diced)
- 2 sprigs Thyme
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(whole, or to taste)
- 1 tbsp All-purpose seasoning
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 cups Water or chicken broth
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the pork cubes with salt, black pepper, and all-purpose seasoning. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the pork cubes on all sides. Remove pork and set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and chopped bell pepper, cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the diced tomatoes and thyme sprigs. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to break down slightly.
- 5
Return the browned pork to the pot. Add water or chicken broth, ensuring the pork is mostly submerged. Add the whole scotch bonnet pepper.
- 6
Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 hour, or until the pork is tender.
- 7
Add the sliced okra to the pot. Stir gently. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 20-30 minutes, or until the okra is tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 8
Remove the thyme sprigs and scotch bonnet pepper before serving. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓To reduce the sliminess of okra, you can lightly sauté it separately before adding it to the stew, or add a tablespoon of vinegar during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- ✓For a spicier dish, you can prick the scotch bonnet pepper a few times before adding it, or finely chop a small piece of it into the stew.
- ✓This dish pairs well with rice, boiled dumplings, or mashed root vegetables.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables like carrots or sweet potatoes for a heartier stew.
- Incorporate a splash of local hot sauce for an extra kick.