Best Crispy Cornmeal Okra Recipes

CRISPY FRIED OKRA WITH CORNMEAL COATING RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients. Heat the oven to 200 F.
• Place a rack in a large baking pan and set it aside.
• Wash the okra and drain thoroughly.
• Cut off the stem ends of the okra and then cut the pods crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds.
• Heat the oil in a deep fryer or deep heavy saucepan to 370 F to 375 F.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and hot sauce; add okra and stir to coat all pieces thoroughly.
• In a shallow dish, combine the cornmeal, salt, ​and cayenne pepper, if using.
• Dip okra pieces into the cornmeal mixture to coat well.
• When the oil comes to temperature, fry the okra in batches until golden brown, about 4 to 6 minutes for each batch.
• Drain the okra briefly on paper towels. Place the drained okra on a rack in the baking pan and put it in the preheated 200 F oven to keep warm while you cook subsequent batches.

CORNMEAL WITH OKRA (COU-COU)

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put the whole ears of corn into the oven (do not shuck the corn) and cook until the outside is charred and the inside feels soft when pressed, about 30 minutes. When it is cool enough to handle, pull out the silk and remove the husk. Cut the kernels off the cob and set aside.
• If using frozen okra, put it into a strainer and run it under cool water for a few minutes to thaw. Remove the stems from the okra and cut them into thirds. Heat 1 tablespoon each of butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion until it begins to soften, then add the corn, okra, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute and set aside.
• Butter a 13-inch by 9-inch pan with 1 tablespoon butter. Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan and add 1 teaspoon salt. Gradually sprinkle in the corn meal, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. When it is all incorporated, stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and the sauteed vegetables. Reduce the heat to low, season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, to taste, and cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Pour into the buttered dish and let cool.
• Slice the cooled cornmeal into squares and serve. You can also fry the cornmeal squares for a few minutes in butter or olive oil to make them crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.

FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, soak okra in egg for 5 to 10 minutes. In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal, salt, and pepper.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge okra in the cornmeal mixture, coating evenly. Carefully place okra in hot oil; stir continuously. Reduce heat to medium when okra first starts to brown, and cook until golden. Drain on paper towels.

SOUTHERN FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Pat okra dry with paper towels. Place buttermilk in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, seasoning blend and pepper. Dip okra in buttermilk, then roll in cornmeal mixture., In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat 1 in. of oil to 375°. Fry okra, a few pieces at a time, for 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.