Bamia is such a hearty stew despite the number of ingredients. I love serving this on a cold day with a bed of rice and a salad. You can make this recipe vegetarian by omitting the beef without the flavor being compromised. I love making bamia, but the time to prepare the fresh okra can be really consuming. Plus, it is not also readily available at the market. Using frozen okra in bamia really cuts back on the time, but does not compromise the flavor. What is okra?Okraalso known as okrohas been called "Ladies' fingers. " It grows from a flowering plant in the mallow family. It is valued for its edible green seed pods. Native to north-east africa, okra has been dubbed one of the most nutritious vegetables in africa. The plant is often cultivated across tropical and warm regions around the world. Bamia grows best in dry, rich soil. Health benefits of okra.
