Fried okra is a classic appetizer, side dish or even garnish. Crispy and flavorful, fried okra is a perfect party starter or fun way to serve vegetables as a snack. Why stop at okra? You can fry green beans, Israeli pickles, zucchini, green tomato slices (my fave!) and whatever else you can find.
Southern Fried Okra
Servings
4 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound okra ends trimmed off, and sliced into ½ inch thick slices or alternatively, green beans, zucchini (cut into ½ inch thick slices), or pickles (cut into ½ inch thick slices)
- 1 cup buttermilk or buttermilk substitute, see note
- Several dashes hot sauce
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with several layers of paper towels.
- Toss okra or combination of other vegetables into buttermilk and hot sauce and allow to sit for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Heat oil in a heavy-gauge pan to 350°F.
- Shake off buttermilk from vegetables and dredge in cornmeal mixture. Fry in batches until browned and crispy, about 45 seconds.
- Serve with your favorite sauce or make our Comeback Sauce:
- Combine 2 tablespoons grated onion, grated on a box grater, 2 large garlic cloves, minced, 2 teaspoons spicy creole mustard, 1 cup good quality mayonnaise, ¼ cup chili sauce, and ¼ cup ketchup. Whisk well.
- Note: Combine 1 cup (minus 1 tablespoon) of milk or nondairy milk substitute with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let sit for five minutes and use as a substitute for buttermilk.
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