BRAISED OKRA WITH ROASTED GARLIC AND TOMATO

Braised Okra with Roasted Garlic and Tomato image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 55m

Yield Serves 4 to 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 head garlic
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 small onion, minced (1 cup)
2 pounds beefsteak tomatoes, halved, seeds removed, and chopped (4 cups)
8 ounces okra, trimmed and sliced into 3/4-inch rounds (2 cups)
Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated, for serving

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut top third off of garlic head and place on a piece of parchment-lined foil. Drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, and wrap in foil.
Roast until soft, about 1 hour. Let cool, then squeeze out cloves; mash with a fork into a paste. (You should have 1 tablespoon; if more, reserve extra for another use.)
Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; swirl in oil. Add onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic paste and tomatoes; reduce heat to medium and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to release some of their juices, about 8 minutes.
Uncover and simmer 2 minutes more. Add okra; bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until just tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Serve over soft polenta with cheese, more oil, and pepper.