Gjellë me Bamje — Print Recipe

A slow-simmered stew of tender beef chunks and fresh okra in a rich tomato-based sauce. This summer specialty showcases the Kosovar love of vegetable-forward meat dishes.

Ingredients

500g beef chuck, cubed
400g fresh okra, trimmed
2 onions, diced
3 tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

1 Brown the beef cubes in oil in a heavy pot over high heat, then remove and set aside.
2 Sauté onions in the same pot until golden, then add tomatoes and tomato paste.
3 Return beef to the pot, add paprika, salt, pepper, and enough water to cover.
4 Simmer covered for forty-five minutes until the beef is nearly tender.
5 Toss trimmed okra with lemon juice to reduce sliminess, then add to the pot.
6 Cook uncovered for twenty-five more minutes until the okra is tender and the sauce has thickened.

Did You Know?

Adding lemon juice to okra before cooking is the Kosovar secret to preventing the vegetable from becoming slimy.