Mamas Fried Okra Food

FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Add the tomato paste, garlic, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 5 ounces of water to a medium saucepan. Stir to combine. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring, until fragrant and just starting to boil, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Combine the cornmeal, flour, dried basil, garlic powder, dried mustard, cayenne pepper and dried thyme in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.
• Add 2 cups water to a medium pot over medium-high heat. Place a 10-inch bamboo steamer over the pot. Working in batches, add the okra, cover and steam until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
• Pour enough vegetable oil into a medium, heavy-bottomed pot to reach 3 inches deep. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches a temperature of 365 degrees F.
• Dip each piece of okra into the tomato paste mixture and then roll in the cornmeal mixture. Working in batches, fry the okra until golden brown and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Season the fried okra with 1 teaspoon of salt. Place on a serving platter with lemon wedges if using.

FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Rinse the okra and dry with a paper towel. Cut the pods into 1/2 inch pieces, remove the tops. In a bowl, mix together the cornmeal, flour, and salt. Add the okra pieces to the bowl, stirring to coat with the cornmeal mixture, and then let sit for a few minutes. Stir again. When the breading clings to the okra, shake the bowl -- excess breading will go to the bottom. Heat the oil over medium heat in a frying pan large enough to allow the okra room to cook evenly. Spoon the okra out of the bowl and fry in the hot oil until browned all over, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain the okra on paper towels before serving.

MAMA'S STEWED OKRA

Steps:

• In a large pan, cover okra with water, add butter, soda and baking powder. Bring to a boil and then simmer for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Wash the okra, cut it into 1/2-inch rounds, and place it in a small brown paper bag or plastic bag. Add the cornmeal and salt and pepper and shake to coat the okra with the cornmeal and seasoning mixture. Heat the bacon fat in a large, heavy skillet. Drop in the okra pieces a few at a time and fry until golden brown, turning frequently so that they are browned on all sides. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

MAMA'S FRIED OKRA WITH GREEN TOMATOES

Steps:

• 1. Put the thawed okra and chopped tomato in a bowl and stir in the buttermilk. Cover and put in the fridge for at least 1 hour. When ready to fry, remove from the fridge and drain off the buttermilk.
• 2. Put about a cup of flour in a Ziploc bag. Add a couple of handfuls of okra & tomatoes to the bag and shake to coat.
• 3. With a deep fryer heated to 350 degrees, use your hand to get the okra & tomatoes from the bag, shaking off excess flour and carefully dropping in the oil. Fry just until golden and remove to a paper towel lined pan (make sure the pan is big enough so the okra doesn't lay on top of one another, this is key to the okra remaining crispy). Continue frying (adding more flour to the bag as needed), in batches. Once done, sprinkle lightly with salt before serving.

FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Place the okra in a medium bowl. Season with the cayenne and salt and black pepper. Toss with the buttermilk until well coated and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes; drain well.
• Fill a large cast-iron skillet with oil to a depth of 1/2 inch. Heat over medium-high heat to 350°F.
• Combine the cornmeal, rice flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge the okra in the cornmeal mixture, shaking off any excess. Working in batches to avoid crowding the skillet, add to the hot oil and fry, turning once, until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on a crumpled brown paper bag or paper towels.
• Serve immediately.

PAN-FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Wash the okra, and place aside, leaving the okra slightly wet. Cut the okra crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Season the okra with the salt, adding more to taste.
• Pour the cornmeal over the okra. Using both hands, firmly grip the bowl, and shake it until all the okra pieces are coated. If too dry, add a little water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and, if needed, more cornmeal can be added. Lightly press the okra with your hands, making sure that the cornmeal sticks to the okra. Toss the okra again. All the pieces should be coated evenly, with a light layer of cornmeal - but the okra shouldn't be obscured.
• In a large cast-iron skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. You can determine if the oil is ready by dropping a pinch of cornmeal into it; the oil should sizzle, but not smoke. (If it's not hot enough, the okra will soak up the oil.)
• Once the oil is ready, working in two batches to avoid crowding, drop half the okra into the hot oil and cook it, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until golden and crisp. Using a slotted spoon or spider, remove the okra to a plate covered with a paper towel to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining okra, and serve immediately.