Wet Fried Okra Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Add the tomato paste, garlic, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 5 ounces of water to a medium saucepan. Stir to combine. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring, until fragrant and just starting to boil, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Combine the cornmeal, flour, dried basil, garlic powder, dried mustard, cayenne pepper and dried thyme in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.
• Add 2 cups water to a medium pot over medium-high heat. Place a 10-inch bamboo steamer over the pot. Working in batches, add the okra, cover and steam until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
• Pour enough vegetable oil into a medium, heavy-bottomed pot to reach 3 inches deep. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches a temperature of 365 degrees F.
• Dip each piece of okra into the tomato paste mixture and then roll in the cornmeal mixture. Working in batches, fry the okra until golden brown and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Season the fried okra with 1 teaspoon of salt. Place on a serving platter with lemon wedges if using.

Steps:

• Rinse the okra and dry with a paper towel. Cut the pods into 1/2 inch pieces, remove the tops. In a bowl, mix together the cornmeal, flour, and salt. Add the okra pieces to the bowl, stirring to coat with the cornmeal mixture, and then let sit for a few minutes. Stir again. When the breading clings to the okra, shake the bowl -- excess breading will go to the bottom. Heat the oil over medium heat in a frying pan large enough to allow the okra room to cook evenly. Spoon the okra out of the bowl and fry in the hot oil until browned all over, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain the okra on paper towels before serving.

Steps:

• Cut the okra into 1/4-inch pieces and place into a colander. Rinse under cold water and allow to drain only slightly.
• Place the cornmeal into a sealable ziptop bag. Add the okra and shake to coat thoroughly.
• Add enough vegetable oil to a cast iron or stainless steel skillet in order to completely cover the bottom of the pan. Place over medium heat and heat until the oil reaches 370 degrees F. Add the okra all at once and fry until golden brown on 1 side, approximately 6 to 7 minutes. Do not disturb until the bottom is golden brown. Turn the okra with a spatula and do not disturb until the majority of the other side is golden brown as well, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Now stir occasionally until all of the okra is golden on all sides, approximately another 3 to 4 minutes. 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.

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.

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.