Okra Soup (Vegan)

Ingredients

• 1 lb Fresh Okra
• 6 cups Vegetable Broth
• 1 medium Onion
• 1 medium Red Bell Pepper
• 1/4 Scotch Bonnet Pepper
• 1/4 cup Palm Oil
• 2 tbsp Ground Crayfish (vegan)
• 1 tsp Dried Thyme
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 3 cups Spinach
• 2 tbsp Water Yam Flour
• 1 tsp Salt

Instructions

1. 1Wash the 1 lb Fresh Okra and cut it into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Peel the 1 medium Onion and chop it into 1/4-inch pieces. Remove the seeds and membranes from the 1 medium Red Bell Pepper and chop it into 1/4-inch pieces. Carefully remove the stem from the 1/4 Scotch Bonnet Pepper and chop it into 1/8-inch pieces; wear gloves if you are sensitive to peppers.
2. 2In a blender, combine the chopped 1 medium Onion, chopped 1 medium Red Bell Pepper, and chopped 1/4 Scotch Bonnet Pepper. Blend until you have a smooth paste; if the blender struggles, add 1/4 cup of the 6 cups Vegetable Broth to help it process.
3. 3Heat the 1/4 cup Palm Oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat (around 350°F or 175°C). Add the blended pepper mixture to the hot oil and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes until the mixture darkens slightly and becomes fragrant.
4. 4Add the cut 1 lb Fresh Okra to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the okra begins to release its natural sliminess and softens slightly. Pour in the remaining 5 3/4 cups Vegetable Broth and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. 5Stir in the 2 tbsp Ground Crayfish (vegan), 1 tsp Dried Thyme, and 1 tsp Smoked Paprika; cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Add the 3 cups Spinach to the pot and stir gently until the spinach wilts, which should take about 3-5 minutes.
6. 6In a small bowl, whisk the 2 tbsp Water Yam Flour with 1/4 cup of the simmering soup liquid until a smooth slurry forms. Gradually pour this slurry into the simmering soup while stirring constantly, continuing to stir until the soup thickens to your desired consistency. Stir in the 1 tsp Salt and let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the salt to dissolve and the flavors to fully combine.
7. 7Serve the Okra Soup hot.

Substitutions

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