Deep Fried Okra Recipes

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.

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.

DEEP-FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Place bread crumbs in a second large bowl. Heat oil in a heavy 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until oil is hot enough to toast a bread crumb in 30 seconds.
• Toss half the okra in the egg mixture until thoroughly coated (use your hands or, if you must, a spoon). Pick up large handfuls (or slotted spoonfuls) of the okra pieces, letting the excess liquid drip back into the bowl. Transfer okra to the bowl with bread crumbs and toss until coated.
• Add okra to hot oil and cook until well browned, about 5 minutes. Remove okra with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining okra. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

TEMPURA FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or deep fryer to 375 degrees F.
• Wash the okra, drain thoroughly and pat dry. Cut off the ends of the okra, and then cut the okra crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper and set aside.
• Place the cornstarch in a small bowl.
• When the oil is hot, add the hot sauce and ice water to the spiced flour. Gently mix; there will be some small lumps.
• Skewer the okra pieces through the middle of the flesh, leaving enough room between each piece of okra so they can fry individually. Repeat with remaining okra. Dredge the skewers through the cornstarch. Place into the tempura batter and then immediately and carefully into the hot oil.
• Fry the okra in batches until browned, 4 to 6 minutes for each batch. Drain on paper towels, sprinkle with the reserved salt and spice mixture and serve immediately with Spicy Ranch Dressing.
• Mince the garlic and then add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and mash with the edge of the knife until a paste is formed.
• Add this to a blender with the remaining ingredients. Puree and taste to adjust seasoning.
• Remove and place in a small bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour.

DRY FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Rinse the whole okra pods under cold water, drain, pat dry, trim and cut into 1/4-inch pieces. Set aside.
• Place the cornmeal into a sealable ziptop bag. Add the okra and shake to coat thoroughly. Return the okra to a dry colander and shake off excess cornmeal.
• Add enough vegetable oil to a 12-inch stainless steel saute pan in order to completely cover the bottom of the pan. Place over medium-high heat and bring the oil to 370 degrees F. Add the okra and fry until golden brown on 1 side, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Stirring occasionally, continue cooking until okra is golden brown on all sides, approximately 5 to 6 minutes longer. Remove the okra from the pan with a slotted spoon or spatula to a cooling rack set over a newspaper-lined sheet pan. Season, to taste, with salt and allow to cool for 1 to 2 minutes before serving.

OVEN FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place a baking rack on top of a baking sheet or sheet pan.
• Cook the frozen okra in the microwave using your microwave's frozen vegetable setting, or on high for 8 minutes. Drain and cool on paper towels, about 5 to 10 minutes. Spray generously with butter flavored cooking spray. Add the cornmeal, panko bread crumbs, garlic salt, and pepper to a plastic food storage bag. Place the okra into the bag and shake to coat the okra with the cornmeal mixture.
• Remove the okra from the bag and spread it on the prepared baking rack. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and crispy, about 15 to 20 minutes.

SPICED FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Mix together coriander, paprika, oregano, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In a large bowl, whisk together rice flour, semolina, and all but 1 teaspoon of spice mixture. Add okra; toss to fully coat. Shake excess flour mixture from okra back into bowl, and transfer okra to a plate.
• Add enough water to flour mixture in bowl to create a batter about the thickness of honey (you should have about 3/4 cup; you may need to add more water as you go along, as rice flour thickens quickly).
• Pour enough oil into a medium heavy pot to come about 1 inch up sides (about 4 cups). Clip a deep-fry thermometer to pot and heat oil over medium to 350°F. Working with a handful at a time, add okra to batter, turning to coat. Using tongs, lift out of batter and carefully add to oil.
• Cook, turning once, until golden brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet; sprinkle immediately with salt. Place in a 200°F oven to keep warm. When all okra is cooked, sprinkle with some of remaining spice mixture and more paprika. Serve with lime wedges.