Stewed Okra with Tomatoes and Fish – Green Tomato

Ingredients

• 1½ lb firm white fish fillets (such as snapper, tilapia, or mahi-mahi), cut into large chunks
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 red or green bell pepper, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb fresh okra, sliced into ½-inch rounds
• 2 large ripe tomatoes, chopped (or 1 can [14.5 oz] diced tomatoes with juice)
• ½ cup coconut milk (optional but adds a delicious Caribbean flavor)
• ½ cup water or fish/vegetable broth
• ½ tsp dried thyme or 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 mild chili pepper or a dash of hot pepper (optional)
• Fresh cilantro or culantro for garnish (optional)