Sauteed Okra

One thing my husband loves, is okra.

Yield: 4 side dish servings

1 pound okra

2 tablespoons bacon fat, peanut oil or olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 thin slice prosciutto, cut into 1/8-by-1-inch strips

2 jalapeños (optional)

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1. Cut off and discard both ends of the okra and slice into ¼-inch-thick rounds.

2. Heat the bacon fat (or oil) in a wide skillet or wok over medium heat and add the okra. Cook over medium to high heat — just hot enough to keep the okra sizzling but not enough to brown it right away or cause the oil to smoke.

3. Cook the okra for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes so it cooks evenly. Stir in the garlic and prosciutto, and jalapeños if using, and cook for 5 minutes more. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Per serving: 95 calories; 7g fat; 2g saturated fat; 9mg cholesterol; 3g protein; 6g carbohydrate; 3g sugar; 3g fiber; 103mg sodium; 100mg calcium.