Rustic Okra Soup
Photo: Ralda Robles / Contributor
In the middle of our hot Texas summer when you may not ordinarily think of soup, one with cooling ingredients such as okra and yogurt might be the perfect antidote.
According to Ayurveda, okra balances the heat in our body and relieves dryness in our joints, not to mention that it is an excellent source of dietary fiber, folic acid and potassium. It is also one of the few vegetables that naturally contain glutathione, a potent essential antioxidant.
Roasting okra in the oven at high heat preserves its integrity and flavor without turning it slimy. This yogurt soup is an adaptation of the classic Punjabi kadhi, usually eaten with rice — the chickpea flour is the binder that keeps the yogurt from “breaking,” and turns it viscous and creamy.