Okra Punch

Learn how to make some okra punch using steamed okra, oats, peanuts, plant based milk, sea moss, spices and a sweetener of your choice. A completely delicious island style beverage that is gluten free and vegan friendly.

Okra, oh okra! A vegetable that often leaves the nation divided. It's a type of vegetable that you either love or hate.

Unfortunately, there is no in between affair. Me personally I used to HATE IT as a child and thought my mom would feed it to us as some sort of punishment.

Just like Ackee and Saltfish, as I got older, I learnt to enjoy okra and now I eat it very often.

Okra doesn't just have to play a crucial role in main meals. Some good examples are Okra Rice, Cou Cou and my Stuffed Christophines recipe.

The aforementioned both contain okra, however, what if I told that you could make some punch with okra? Would you do it or shy away from the drink?

It's okay, like I said, okra is something that you either like or dislike. I promise the drink isn't slimey nor does it have a pungant taste of okra.

The health benefits

• High in vitamin A and C which reduce the risk of stroke, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
• Helps to promote a healthly immune system.
• Rich in vitamin K which helps to aid the blood in clotting.
• Contains antioxidants which help to fight free radicals which can cause cell damage.
• Controls blood sugar levels.
• Prenatal support, helps with the formation of the fetus during pregnancy.
• Low in fat and low in calories (Source).

The steps

• Add 2 cups of water to a medium sized saucepan.
• Place the steamer basket inside the saucepan.
• Bring the water to the boil then cover the saucepan with the lid.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and steam the okra for 5 minutes or until tender.
• Reserve the water from steaming the okra and allow the okra to cool down.

• Add the okra, roasted peanuts, oats, spices, vanilla, almond milk, sea moss gel, 11/2 cups of okra water and sweetener of your choice to the blender.
• Blitz into a smooth consistency.
• Once blended do another taste test and adjust if needed.
• Serve accordingly.

Sweeten to use

You can use any of the following to sweeten your drink.

For a more punch-ier taste and Caribbean preference in sweetener, you may want to go with the Vegan Condensed Milk

you can also use;

• Maple syrup
• Agave nectar
• Coconut nectar
• Combine banana with medjool dates (to mask the taste of banana use half a frozen banana with a handful of dates)

Notes and tips

• You can use okra that is either fresh or frozen for this recipe.
• If you are using okra that is frozen, you don't need to de-frost the okra in advance, it will thaw out as it is steamed.
• If you are allergic to peanuts then use another nut such as walnuts or cashews instead.
• Fresh okra should be bright green with no dark spots (inside or outside) or mould.
• Frozen okra will have a more dark green appearance which is normal.
• If the okra is too firm, chances are it is old so don't buy it.
• You can use any plant based milk for this recipe i.e Cashew Milk, Brazil Nut Milk etc... 

More punch and juice recipes to try

• Jamaican Sexy Juice (Pineapple Punch)
• Beetroot Punch
• Soursop Punch
• Peanut Punch
• Aloe Vera Juice
• Guava Juice

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