Okra Skillet Food

FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Wash okra and pat dry, then slice into 1/2-inch pieces, discarding the tops.
• Mix together cornmeal, flour, salt, and pepper.
• Optional: Dip okra in buttermilk then place in strainer before dredging in cornmeal mixture. (This is if you want a thicker batter.)
• Dredge okra in cornmeal and shake off excess.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter and about 4 tablespoons oil in skillet on medium-high. When the oil is hot, add some of the okra and cook on one side until nicely browned, then flip to the other side. Don't crowd the pan!
• Turn the heat down a little and continue cooking and stirring around a little until okra is nicely browned on all sides. Watch it because it will brown quickly!
• Repeat until all the okra is fried. Add oil and butter as needed.
• Remove from skillet with slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain.

TURKEY AND OKRA SKILLET DINNER

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until slightly crisp, about 6 minutes. Meanwhile, toss the turkey in a bowl with the flour, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste.
• Increase the heat to medium high and add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. When the oil is hot, add the turkey in one layer and cook, turning once, until lightly browned on both sides but not cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the turkey and bacon to a bowl.
• Heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in the pan, then add the okra and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth, 1/2 cup water, the corn and tomatoes and bring to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, until the okra is tender and the tomatoes begin to fall apart, 3 to 5 minutes. Return the turkey and bacon to the pan and simmer until the turkey is just cooked through, about 1 more minute. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

SKILLET-FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a cast-iron or heavy skillet until a frying thermometer registers 375 degrees.
• Wash okra under cold water; pat dry with a paper towel. Trim stem ends; cut each pod crosswise into 3/4-inch pieces.
• Whisk together the eggs and milk in a medium bowl; set aside. Place cornmeal, flour, salt, black pepper, and cayenne in another bowl; whisk to combine.
• Add okra to egg mixture; stir until evenly coated. Add cornmeal mixture; toss with hands or a spatula until evenly coated.
• Fry okra in batches until golden brown, turning as necessary, 1 to 2 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels, and season with salt. Serve warm with hot-pepper sauce, if desired.

EASY INDIAN STYLE OKRA

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until tender. Stir in the okra, and season with cumin, ginger, coriander, pepper and salt. Cook and stir for a few minutes, then reduce the heat to medium-low, and cover the pan. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until okra is tender.

CRISPY SKILLET OKRA (NO BREADING!!)

Steps:

• Turn your skillet on medium heat and get it nice and hot.
• While you're waiting for the skillet to heat up, wash and slice your okra into 1 inch long sections.
• When the skillet is hot, add cooking oil (I use canola since olive oil can become bitter at higher heat) and toss in the okra. It should sizzle! This helps seal the juices in the okra and gives it a crispy outside.
• Stir the okra around until it starts to brown, then drop in your sliced onion and season with soul food seasoning (I love Sylvia's). Continue cooking and stirring until the onion is transparent.
• Remove from heat and serve.

PAN-SEARED OKRA WITH BACON

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a large cast-iron skillet until crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove to paper towels to drain, reserving the drippings in the skillet.
• Add the okra to the drippings in the skillet. Add the canola oil if the skillet is dry. Sprinkle with the House Seasoning, and toss to coat. Saute until crispy and golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Squeeze the juice from the lemon over the top of the okra. Crumble the bacon over the top and sprinkle with freshly ground pepper. Serve right from the skillet.
• Stir together the garlic and onion powders, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

SKILLET OKRA AND RICE

Steps:

• In a 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the rice and cook about 3 minutes, stirring frequently or until lightly brown.
• Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic; cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until onion begins to soften.
• Stir in remaining ingredeints except for the okra.
• Heat to boiling, reduce heat; cover and simmer until rice is tender.
• Add the okra, cover and simmer 10 minutes longer or until okra is tender.
• Remove bay leaf and serve.

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.