Saras Cornmeal Crusted Okra Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put the whole ears of corn into the oven (do not shuck the corn) and cook until the outside is charred and the inside feels soft when pressed, about 30 minutes. When it is cool enough to handle, pull out the silk and remove the husk. Cut the kernels off the cob and set aside.
• If using frozen okra, put it into a strainer and run it under cool water for a few minutes to thaw. Remove the stems from the okra and cut them into thirds. Heat 1 tablespoon each of butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion until it begins to soften, then add the corn, okra, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute and set aside.
• Butter a 13-inch by 9-inch pan with 1 tablespoon butter. Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan and add 1 teaspoon salt. Gradually sprinkle in the corn meal, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. When it is all incorporated, stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and the sauteed vegetables. Reduce the heat to low, season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, to taste, and cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Pour into the buttered dish and let cool.
• Slice the cooled cornmeal into squares and serve. You can also fry the cornmeal squares for a few minutes in butter or olive oil to make them crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.

Steps:

• In a large skillet, preferably nonstick, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the okra and stir to coat. Cover and cook until bright green, 12 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cornmeal and stir to coat. Drizzle over the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the okra is tender, browned, and crispy, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

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.

Steps:

• Heat butter and olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Cook and stir celery and onions until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the corn kernels and cook for 3 minutes.
• Stir in okra, tomatoes, andouille sausage, and Creole seasoning; cover and cook over medium heat until the okra has lost all of its slippery texture, at least 45 minutes. Season with sea salt, black pepper, and more Creole seasoning if necessary. Cook, uncovered, to reduce liquid, about 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Make the rémoulade: In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, Cajun seasoning, vinegar and lemon juice. (Makes about 1 1/2 cups rémoulade.) Cover the sauce and chill it in the fridge until you serve.
• Prepare the okra: Pour oil into a large pot with high sides and a lid, to a depth of a few inches. Heat oil over medium-high to 350 degrees.
• While the oil is heating, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce in a large bowl. Place the cut okra into the buttermilk mixture and stir to coat.
• In a large bowl, stir the flour, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning and cayenne.
• Working in 4 separate batches, dredge the soaked okra in the cornmeal mixture using your hands. Shake off the excess flour and place the okra onto a wire baking rack. After one to two dredgings of okra, use your hands or a slotted spoon to sift the flour and cornmeal mixture, removing any clumps. Finish coating the remaining okra.
• Working in about 4 batches, making sure to not crowd the pot, fry the okra, stirring frequently, until crispy and golden, about 4 minutes. (Take care not to burn it.)
• Remove okra using a spider and allow the okra to drain on two plates covered with paper towels. Immediately season okra with sea salt. Serve immediately with the chilled rémoulade.

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the remaining ingredients; heat through.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until soft and fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add okra and cook for 5 minutes. Sprinkle cornmeal on top; cook and stir until okra is fork-tender and cornmeal absorbs excess moisture, about 2 minutes.
• Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.