Crispy Coconut Okra Poppers

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Skill Level	Intermediate

Preparation Time	30 minutes	Total Time	45 minutes
Servings	6 (3 okra per serving)	Cost Per Serving	$0.96

1/2 lbs or about 18	Okra
1/2 cup	Low Fat Cream Cheese
1/4 cup	Fresh or Dried Grated Coconut
2 tbsp	Lime Juice
1	Green Chili, finely chopped (optional)
1	Shallot, finely chopped
1	Egg
2 tbsp	Dried Grated Coconut
1/2 cup	Breadcrumbs (Panko or Regular)
1 tsp	Smoked Paprika
To taste	Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Remove the tops of the okra and cut a slit from top to bottom down the side of each okra.
Combine cream cheese, ¼ cup grated coconut, lime juice, green chili and shallot. Stuff about 1 tsp into each okra. Don’t over-stuff, you should almost be able to close the okra back up.
Combine the breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp dried coconut, paprika, salt and pepper.
Whisk an egg in a bowl and dip each okra in the egg, coating it well. Gently toss the okra in the breadcrumbs and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 15 minute or until golden brown and crispy. Serve with condiments.

PDF link to nutrition facts table for Crispy Coconut Okra Poppers.

Okra, also called ladies fingers, ochro, okoro and quimgombo, is rich in fibre, vitamin B6 and vitamin C.
One cup of cooked okra has 3 grams of fibre and only 30 calories. Most of the fibre in okra is viscous soluble fibre, which can help to control blood sugar and reduce levels of “lousy” LDL cholesterol. High LDL levels in the blood are a risk factor for heart disease.
Vitamin B6 is needed to break down protein, carbohydrates and fats from the foods you eat into energy. This vitamin also helps stabilize blood sugar levels in the blood and is needed for a strong immune system.