Easy Gumbo (Okra Soup)

This is not your typical Southern gumbo. The inspiration comes from somewhere else. There are different variations of the same kind of food all over the world. This one is inspired by West African okra soup, but is also closer to the Southern gumbo variation. Serve with polenta, semolina, or even rice.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 28 mins
• Total Time: 48 mins
• Calories: 327 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ½ cup tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• ¼ cup crushed tomatoes
• ¾ cup chopped grape tomatoes, or to taste
• 11 okra pods, finely chopped, or more to taste
• 1 tablespoon instant chicken bouillon granules

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until slightly softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in grape tomatoes; cook until they begin to release their juices, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. Cover and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Remove saucepan from heat. Add water, okra pods, red pepper flakes, chicken bouillon, salt, and curry powder.

Step 3

Return saucepan to medium heat; simmer soup for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in shredded chicken. Simmer until okra is soft and chicken is heated through, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.