Stir-Fried Shrimp with Okra and Lime
Updated February 23, 2016 
Cookbook
How to Cook Everything: Bittman Takes on America's Chefs
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Here, the juices exuded by the okra (its sliminess, if you prefer) combine with the sugar, lime juice, oil, and butter to produce a simple but delicious sauce in no time flat. I used chopped colossal shrimp in my dish—that’s what we had on hand—but you can make this with any size shrimp.
4 servings
Cooking Time20 min
Cooking Time - Text25
Cooking Methodpan-frying, stir-frying
CostModerate
Total Timeunder 30 minutes
One Pot MealYes
OccasionCasual Dinner Party
Recipe Coursemain course
Dietary Considerationegg-free, gluten-free, low carb, peanut free, soy free, tree nut free
Mealdinner
Taste and Textureherby, savory, tangy
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp, shelled and deveined
- The juice of ½ lime
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Salt
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound okra, trimmed and chopped or slivered
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
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Place the shrimp in a bowl with the juice, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Toss to coat and let marinate for 5 minutes.
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Put the oil and butter in a non-stick skillet and turn the heat to high. When the butter foam subsides, add the shrimp and marinade and cook, stirring or tossing, until the shrimp is lightly browned, about 3 minutes (this will happen rapidly because the sugar will caramelize quickly).
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Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp to a plate, then return the pan to the stove. Add the okra and cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and crisped. If it looks like the okra is going to crowd the pan you’re working with, cook in batches.
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Add about 1/2 cup water to the pan and, over high heat, scrape to loosen any browned bits. Add the cilantro to the pan, stir everything together briefly, then transfer the okra and cilantro to a serving platter. Top with the sautéed shrimp and pour the pan sauce over all. Salt to taste, garnish with lime wedges, and serve immediately.
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3. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp to a plate, then return the pan to the stove. Add the okra and cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and crisped. If it looks like the okra is going to crowd the pan you’re working with, cook in batches.
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4. Add about 1/2 cup water to the pan and, over high heat, scrape to loosen any browned bits. Add the cilantro to the pan, stir everything together briefly, then transfer the okra and cilantro to a serving platter. Top with the sautéed shrimp and pour the pan sauce over all. Salt to taste, garnish with lime wedges, and serve immediately.
2005 Double B Publishing, Inc.
