Kakaibang Pinoy Snack Idea: Dynamite Okra

Do you remember the kiosk or canteen at the corner street that sells a variety of fried foods for merienda? But now that they’re not as accessible as before due to the pandemic, where are you going to get your merienda cravings? Edi, you make them at home! And usually, merienda choices would include at least one dish wrapped in lumpia.

Lumpia or spring roll is a thin-paper like crepe that can be consumed fried or fresh. It is commonly used to wrap different kinds of fillings from sweet fruits, to savory ground meats. Lumpia is commonly found in the Philippines and Indonesia but it is believed to be brought by the Chinese traders to the Southeast Asia region. In the Philippines, we have a variety of dishes that use lumpia: lumpiang sariwa, turon, cheese sticks, lumpiang toge, pork shanghai, and dynamite lumpia. These are common finger food or merienda for us but some also pair these with rice or pancit. Especially the unique crispy spicy dynamite lumpia that is enjoyed by spicy-loving people. Do you know why is it called dynamite lumpia? Aside from its burst of anghang when you eat it, it resembles a stick of dynamite with the stem of the chili sticking out of the wrapper.

But are you looking for a new twist to your typical dynamite lumpia and not a fan of that extra spicy kick? Then this Dynamite Okra recipe is for you! As you know, okra contains fiber that aids in digestion and antioxidants that protect our cells from damage caused by free-radicals. This recipe is made more special with PORKSAVOR® All-in-one Seasoning Mix. Plus, it’s easy-to-cook and more affordable.

To make Dynamite Okra, first, make the filling. In a pan, heat oil then sauté the onions. Add ground pork and cook until it turns lightly brown. Season with PORKSAVOR® All-in-one Seasoning Mix then add the green chilies. PORKSAVOR® amps-up the pork flavor of the dish giving it a more savory punch at a lesser cost. For a spicier kick, you can sauté the chilies together with the onions.

Next, to prepare the okra, make an incision along the okra then remove the seeds. Make sure to buy okra that is around 5 inches long. To ensure that the pod is still young, try to bend the tip. If it snaps, the pod is young, hence the lesser the slime. Gently stuff each okra with pork mixture and a slice of cheese. Wrap each okra with lumpia wrapper then seal them with water. You can place them in the chiller for 30 minutes to firm up a bit before frying.

Then, in a pan, heat oil and deep-fry Dynamite Okra until it turns golden brown. Remove from the pan then drain excess oil using a strainer or colander. Transfer into a serving plate with your desired sauce. It’s that easy. Now it’s ready to be served and enjoyed while hot to get that oh-so crunchy texture and the melted cheese. Since the rainy season is starting to come by, Dynamite Okra may just be the snack you’re craving for to counter the cold rain.