i'm still wondering why i bought the okra at the store. it was calling to me, but i've never been a big fan. growing up, my face would fall every time they'd announce we were having the famous "bamieh" stew (persian beef stew with okra and tomatoes). i always liked the smell it created in the house...it was warm and welcoming, and i wanted so much to like it-but there was something about the texture. so i would eat the sauce with my rice, and skip the okra. this time, when it called me to it at the produce section, i realized i was craving it-and that seemed strange, but i think what i may have been craving was the feeling you get as a child when you are safe at home and the smell of food (particularly a stew) cooking surrounds you like a warm blanket. for some reason, okra stew is that kind of a meal for me. i wish you could smell it cooking right now...we can't wait to eat it! instead of the traditional "bamieh" stew, i decided on a curried vegetarian stew served with brown basmati rice, and in order to avoid the "gooey" texture, i sliced the okra in rounds...tested one just now, and it is delicious-i think i'm becoming a fan!!