Weika

A stew thickened with powdered dried okra or bamia, often meatless, deeply savoury and mucilaginous.

History and culture

The dried-okra pantry staple of the western drylands — vegetables are dried in the sun in the season of plenty and powdered to carry a household through the lean months.

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp weika (dried okra powder)
  • Onion, garlic
  • Tomato or tamarind
  • Oil, salt, chilli

How it is made

  1. Fry onion and garlic; add tomato.
  2. Add water and bring to a simmer.
  3. Rain in weika powder, whisking to avoid lumps.
  4. Simmer to a glossy stew; serve with kisra or aseeda.

Sources

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