I know what it is Okra but the whole okra and the many possibilities? No, I didn’t and it was great to be able to have a hand on this specific book as it explained about the origin, benefit and recipes. Furthermore, I did enjoy reading the biography of the author which was warm and welcoming.

I've always loved okra! It's a staple in my vegetable garden and my freezer. I've had my share of badly prepared okra so have restricted it to my home menus only. I had minimal knowledge of the history of this tasty vegetable and even less knowledge of it's beneficial properties. I just knew it tasted good! Chris Smith has done we okra lovers a favor and given us even more reasons to eat okra.

This wasn't just a cookbook but a journey into the world that is okra. Being from the South I've grow up eating this often hated vegetable and have always enjoyed it. For those who dislike it you should step into this wonderfully written book and know that okra, when done well can not only be appetizing but delicious as well. As I took my own journey into the pages and I came out on the other end much more knowledgeable. The variety of okra that is out there was astounding and I look forward to searching for different kinds in my trips to the grocery store and farmers markets in my area. There are lovely photographs throughout and one that really caught my eye showed 60 different varieties and the names each goes by. I was able to see the differences not only in coloring with some but with sizes and lengths also. As you read you realize that you are getting a fabulous exploration into the world of okra. How to grow, harvest, and maintain as well as how to freeze, pickle, and even dehydrate it. it even goes into detail about different pests and diseases and how to keep the okra from falling victim to either. I came to realize that okra as a super food with quite a few health benefits. The recipes were amazing and the ones I tried easy to follow. Being from the South I've only cooked okra in two ways before, deep fried obviously and in soups during the colder months. I was happy to try a few of the recipes in the book to get a different take on the vegetable, there is a Savory Muffin recipe that I fell in love with along with a Couscous one. There is one that I haven't gotten around to doing yet but look forward to making, it sounded so interesting called Okra Marshmallow Delights. I had a fun time diving into this cookbook and can't wait to try out more recipes, look for different varieties, and go back through it again to see if I missed anything else interesting. Okra is more than just some slimy vegetable, all its parts from flower to actual okra have so many different uses. I definitely recommend giving this cookbook a try!!!

The Whole Okra: A Seed to Stem Celebration by Chris Smith

I have always loved okra (also known as bhindi or lady’s fingers in Indian recipes). A particular favourite of mine is a West African okra gumbo I learned to cook while living in Liberia in the 1980’s.

The idea of a whole book about okra had never really occurred to me and I wondered just how many recipes it would take to fill the book. I little realized just how many different ways there are to use the plant; from the fruit pods we mostly associate with okra to the seeds and even leaves. Even okra superfood microgreens and okra sourdough bread from the ground seeds. Or how about making your own paper from okra fiber?

This book really is “a lighthearted but information-rich collection of okra history, lore, recipes, craft projects, growing advice, and more”. A fascinating read that will help you appreciate just how versatile the okra plant is.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a preview copy.

Wow, this was a spectacular book! One of the best and more useful garden books I've read in quite a while. I grew up eating okra that my grandmother grew (or bought) and cooked but it was only recently that I discovered grilling or eating it raw. I'm a convert! It's such a highly underrated edible plant that I'm here to help spread the okra gospel!

Fantastic book---I will be buying a copy for sure because there are so many interesting tidbits I want to read again as well as get those recipes and idea on how to use it in other ways.

This was amazing! I tried Okra for the first time a few years ago and was fascinated by it. It was in a Cypriot dish (it's very common in Cyprus) that was like a tomato stew. I was put off by the slimy texture at first, but once I got used to it, I absolutely fell in love with the nutty flavour. Since then, if there's ever Okra on the menu I will order it. I love trying the variety of different ways it can be prepared. This book not only gives great recipes, but the history of Okra, and the tips of growing and preparing it were great. While my copy may have been a digital Galley, this is the first time I've really been desperate to get myself a paperback copy to have in the house as well.

I adore a single-ingredient cookbook but this is so much more. It's a one-stop shop for okra lovers, providing readers with lore, history, geopolitics and delicious recipes!