Okra & Tomato Pirlau

By Jecques

Ingredients

• 1 tbl olive oil
• 3 ounces bacon, cut into 1/4 inch dice
• 1 cup sweet onion, diced
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1 garlic glove, chopped fine
• 2 sprigs thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 14 ounces canned tomatoes, chopped
• 2 1/2 cups water
• Kosher salt
• 2 cups okra sliced to 1/2 inch thick
• 1 cup rice
• black pepper
• Country ham slivers (0ptional)

Preparation

Step 1

1. In deep pot, warm oil, saute bacon until soft but not crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside.

2. Stir onion and pepper into pot. Cook until soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, and bay leaves. Cook until fragrant, but not colored, 1-2 minutes.

3. Stir in tomatoes and their juices, water and a pinch of salt. Increase heat and bring to a simmer. Stir while roughly smashing tomatoes

4. Add Okra and rice. Stir, cover and cook at a simmer until rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Add extra splashes of water as needed.

5. Season with pepper and salt, to taste, Stir in reserved bacon.