Guyanese Fried Okra Recipes

METEMGEE

Steps:

• Place the garlic and oil in a medium pot and cook, stirring, over medium heat until the garlic begins to turn golden. Add the onion and scallions to the pot and cook for 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and 2 cups water and bring to a boil.
• Add the red-skinned and sweet potatoes. Cover and boil for 5 minutes. Add the cassava, plantains and corn; cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the coconut milk, adobo, chile powder, black pepper, thyme, cilantro and salt to taste. Simmer over medium heat until the corn is cooked, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Gently place the eggs in the shell into the pot, cover and simmer for 6 minutes. Remove the eggs and place in a bowl of room-temperature water to cool slightly. Sprinkle the okra on top of the stew, cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Peel the eggs while still warm. Add the peeled eggs back to the pot. Discard the thyme sprigs. Serve the stew hot.

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.

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.