Grannys Fried Okra Food

GRANNY'S FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• 1. Rinse the okra off in a strainer.
• 2. Chop up okra into bite size pieces removing the head and the tip of the tail. Just throw those 2 pieces away.
• 3. If you like a thicker breading like in the picture then place the okra in a bowl with water in it. This helps to bring out the slime and the breading sticks to it better. (yes I said slime, you will see what I'm talking about in a minute) After you soak the okra for about 2 minutes or so, drain them and set aside.
• 4. Dredge the okra in the flour mixture and throw those bad boys in the fryer.
• 5. *If you don't like your breading too thick then do not put your okra back into the water after it is cut. Just dredge into the flour mixture and throw them into the fryer without crowding too much.
• 6. Fry the okra in oil at 375 degrees for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. If you don't have a fryer then place them in oil in a deep frying pan and cook over med- medium high heat till golden brown, turning when necessary.
• 7. Drain on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt.
• 8. *TIP: you don't want your whole okras much more than 3 inches long. The bigger okras tend to be too hard and do not fry up very well. You can also squeeze them and see how hard they are.

GRANNY'S FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• 1. wash thoroughly and slice fresh okra (can use frozen okra, which is already sliced). Add 2 Tbsps. bacon grease to large skillet, add onions, then okra and water, season to taste. Cover & cook on medium to low heat for about 10 minutes. then stir
• 2. You should stir every few minutes to keep from sticking to bottom of skillet. You may need to add small amount of water, each time you check cooking.
• 3. Okra will be cooked when it is smothered down to about 1/2 the size it was before cooking. I taste it when I feel it is done. This is not an exact cooking time, but needs to be carefully monitored. It is delicious when served with fried chicken, potato salad, speckled butter beans, sliced fresh tomatoes and cornbread. Meal fit for a King.

GRANDMA'S FRIED OKRA AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Wash okra and cut off stem ends. Cut in about ½-inch pieces. Peel potatoes and chop into ½-inch dice. Put okra and potatoes in large bowl. Add chopped onion to mixture. Sprinkle cornmeal, salt and pepper over mixture. Stir until cornmeal is evenly distributed throughout mixture.
• Heat drippings or oil in large skillet over medium heat (oil should be hot, but not smoking hot). Carefully spoon okra/potato mixture into hot oil. Fry, turning mixture occasionally, until potatoes are done and mixture is nicely browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Makes enough for 4 or 5 hungry people.

GRANNY'S OKRA SOUP

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes, lima beans, okra, potatoes, corn, green beans, carrots, and tomato paste in a large soup pot. Pour chicken stock over mixture and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables begin to soften, about 15 minutes.
• Season ground beef with garlic powder, celery salt, and onion powder. Set aside.
• Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic when butter stops bubbling; cook and stir for 1 minute. Spread ground beef evenly in the pan. Cook until it has a nice brown sear, stirring minimally to end up with mostly medium-sized chunks, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain skillet and add beef, onions, and garlic to the soup pot.
• Bring soup mixture to a boil; reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook until vegetables and beef have cooked down, 1 to 2 hours.