New Orleans Okra

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 1/2 cup minced celery
• 1/2 cup minced green bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds small okra pods, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes. Add celery, bell pepper, and tomato paste; cook 2 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes and red pepper; cook 10 minutes or until sauce thickens. Add okra pods. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until okra pods are tender. Stir in salt.