Fried Okra Croutons Recipes

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.

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.

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.

CORNMEAL-CRUSTED FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Melt shortening in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat until a frying thermometer registers 375 degrees.
• Meanwhile, whisk together eggs and milk in a bowl. Place flour, cornmeal, salt, and pepper in another bowl; whisk to combine.
• Place 8 pieces of okra in egg mixture to coat, then dredge in flour mixture. Fry until golden brown, turning as necessary, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Repeat coating and frying okra; serve warm.

FRIED OKRA WITH CRISPY PARMESAN COATING

Steps:

• Clean and slice okra, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Beat egg in a shallow bowl.
• Place grated Parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl.
• Pour okra into the beaten egg.
• Stir until every okra slice is wet from the egg.
• Remove with a slotted spoon, and place into the bowl with the Parmesan cheese.
• Stir until every okra slice is covered with cheese.
• Place oil in heavy pan to at least 2" in depth.
• (I use a deep fryer.) Heat until a single slice of coated okra dropped into the oil starts sizzling.
• Add the okra to the hot oil.
• Depending on the size of the pan, you may have to do this in two batches.
• Remove when the okra slices are golden brown and crispy.
• Drain on paper towels, and serve immediately.

CORN AND TOMATO SALAD WITH FRIED OKRA CROUTONS

Steps:

• Place the corn kernels in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high power for 1 minute: stir, and microwave just until crisp-tender, up to 1 minute longer. Toss the corn in a mixing bowl with the tomatoes, scallions, and parsley.
• Whisk the sugar and 1/4 tsp salt with the vinegar in a small bowl until dissolved. Then whisk in the olive oil and thyme leaves until the dressing is thick and well blended. Pour the dressing over the salad, tossing to coat it well. Season with pepper, and additional salt if needed. Set the salad aside to allow the flavors to mellow while you fry the okra.
• Combine the cornmeal, salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl, and toss the okra slices in the mixture. Warm 1/3 inch of oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high heat.
• Drop a cornmeal-coated okra slice into the hot oil to test the temperature. When it sizzles energetically, add half of the remaining okra, without crowding. Fry until ver crisp and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove them with a slotted spatula and place them on paper towels to drain. Repeat with the second batch.
• Just before serving, taste the salad and adjust the seasonings if needed. Top each dish of salad with a generous mound of fried okra.

FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Cut the okra into 1/2-inch rounds. In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Place the flour, salt and pepper in a plastic bag large enough to hold the okra. Dip the okra in the eggs, then drop into the bag. Shake well, making sure that just enough flour adheres to cover and that the okra pieces do not stick together.
• Pour enough oil into a deep saucepan to come up to approximately 3 inches in the pan. Heat the oil but watch that it doesn't get too hot. Lower heat. Add okra one handful at a time. Fry, watching carefully, for 3 to 5 minutes until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

CREOLE CAESAR SALAD WITH CORN BREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the salad:
• Place half the fried okra in a large bowl and add the romaine, corn, corn bread, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Add the dressing and toss until well coated.
• Divide the salad among six serving plates and top evenly with the remaining okra. Serve immediately.
• For the Creole Caesar dressing:
• In a small saucepan, combine the oil, garlic, and onion. Cook over low heat until the garlic and onion are golden and tender, about 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic and onion to a food processor; reserve the oil.
• Add the vinegar, bell pepper, celery, sugar, cayenne, mayonnaise, Parmesan, and a pinch each of salt and black pepper to the food processor. Pulse until smooth. With the machine running, add the oil in a thin stream and process until emulsified. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.