Authentic Fried Okra Recipe Oklahoma, United States of America

Nicknamed “the southern popcorn”, fried okra is a simple side dish which can also be served as an appetizer, especially when paired with various sauces or dips. The preparation is simple and rather quick. First, you will need to choose fresh okra pods, preferably under 3-4 inches in length, since smaller okra pods tend to be softer and less chewy than the larger ones. The stem and the tips are cut off, and the pods are sliced into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Then, okra slices can be dipped either in flour, beaten eggs, and cornmeal, or coated in buttermilk and a mixture of flour and cornmeal. Various seasonings, such as salt, pepper, and ground red paprika, may be added to the coating mixture. Okra is most commonly fried in oil preheated to 350-375˚F, but the oil may be substituted with lard or mixed with bacon trimmings. The frying is done in a Dutch oven or a cast-iron skillet and is usually done in smaller batches to prevent the okra from sticking. After fried ... Read more