Bamya (Okra Stewed in Tomato Sauce)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery (about 2 medium stalks)
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14-ounce) package frozen whole okra (such as Montana)
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced garlic (about 2 medium garlic cloves)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Steps

1. Heat oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium. Add onion and celery, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add tomato sauce, okra, 1 1/2 cups water, garlic, salt, turmeric, and pepper; bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in mint leaves, lemon juice, and sugar. Serve immediately, garnished with additional mint leaves.