Very popular in Dominican cuisine Molondrones guisados (stewed okra) is served either as a main dish. Flavorful, filling meatless dish that's also great for vegans and vegetarians.
By - Reviewed: . Original: Dec 26, 2010
❝ Amazing dish, very tasty... ❞
Why we ❤️ it
The Dominican Republic is one of those countries where okra is a part of the local cuisine. molondrones guisados (stewed okra) is its most popular okra dish, right after our lovely okra salad.
What are molondrones?
Molondrón is the word by which okra is known in the Dominican Republic. Okra is also known as gumbo or ladyfingers, and is a well-known vegetable worldwide.
It is used in dishes from Southeast Asia to the Mediterranean. It is the main ingredient in gumbo from the US Gulf coast and the Trinidadian callaloo.
Depending on the country, okra will have different names in Spanish: Molondrones in the Dominican Republic, quimbombó in Cuba, and ocra, abelmosco, and bamia in other Spanish-speaking countries.
Okra has high water content, it is low carb, and has little fat. It has about 20% of the daily requirement of fiber, vitamin C and K. It is very high in fibers, which makes it a very filling dish.
Okra plant and molondrones guisados.
Serving suggestions
I serve mine with whole grain rice for a filling but light meal, but the most popular choices are White rice and Dominican habichuelas guisadas. Serve with a few slices of avocado, or some Tostones on the side. These are all vegan choices.
It is also great with Moro de habichuelas negras, or Moro de guandules.
Top tips
- Cutting okra: Remember to cut off and discard both ends of each okra before slicing.
- Eliminating sliminess: Cooking molondrones is easier than you may think, and if you are put off by the characteristic slimy appearance of raw okra, be assured that once cooked it will go away.
Slicing it into small pieces, long cooking, and acidic content are all recommended methods to dissolve the goo, all methods present in this dish. - Hot sauce: If you're also a lover of spicy food, feel free to add a touch of your favorite spicy sauce. I recommend a bit of agrio de naranja to make it all that much better.
About our recipe
In our country, okra has some fierce detractors but in general, it is still a popular vegetable. A good thing since okra is a versatile is very healthful. It was a staple at home growing up, and it grew up wild in our backyard, so we rarely had to buy it.
Molondrones is one of those dishes we use for "rendir", or bulking out meat dishes by adding vegetables, but it can also be served on its own.
Besides, if we didn't have okra we wouldn't have the saying that is often used to refer to politicos here and everywhere: "más resbaloso que un molondrón" (more slippery than okra).
Do you like molondrones? Let me know in the comments!
Video
Recipe
This awesome free recipe contains Amazon affiliate links, we receive a small commission from any purchase you make at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Molondrones Guisados [Video+Recipe] Stewed Okra
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red onion, large, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into small cubes
- ½ tablespoon garlic, crushed
- 4 plum tomato, cut into small cubes
- 4 cups okra, diced into 1" [2.5cm] pieces (aprox 1½ lb [0.7 kg])
- 1 teaspoon fruit vinegar, like apple cider vinegar, or 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- 1 teaspoon salt, (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper , (freshly-cracked, or ground) (or to taste)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Instructions
1. Sauté seasonings
Heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-low heat.Cook and stir the onions, peppers and garlic until the onions become translucent.
2. Sautee okra
Add tomato and okra and stir. Add vinegar (or lime juice), salt and pepper. Stir to mix.Cover and simmer until it is heated (about 3 minutes).
3. Stew okra
Stir in the tomato sauce. Cover and simmer until the okra is cooked through (7-10 minutes).⚠️ If it looks like it might burn, add a couple of tablespoons of water.
4. Serve
Remove from the heat and serve, see above the recipe for suggestions.
Cook's Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutrition information.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. ❤️ Plus, get great weekly recipes from me!
More vegan main dishes
Dominican cuisine is rich with vegan and vegetarian dishes, and many great main dishes are traditionally vegan, or can be adapted. Don't miss my Vegan sancocho, my Vegan asopao, this Vegan pastelón de plátano maduro and many more.
Another vegan choice for okra lovers (and Lebanese food lovers), is this okra bamia.
- Learn more about me and the humans behind this blog.
- Share your questions and comments about this post.
- Subscribe to receive our recipes and articles by email.
- Please stay in touch! Follow us on:
