Okra | Mysite

Okra Is Special

Okra is hated by some because of the slimey feel. It is also loved by anyone who has ever ordered fried okra at Bush's Chicken ! Their breading is perfect, the seasoning is - OK by me - but a little bland by some of my friends. And the okra is not at all slimey.

So, here's my journey.

I wanted to learn how to cook that perfect fried okra.

Well, after many experiments, all of them failures, I am finally learning how to prepare & fry okra.

SOME OF MY FAILURES

Breading does not stick to the okra from the get go.

Breading falls off the okra while cooking it.

Breading gets really greasy when frying.

Breading is too thick, it is more like hush puppies' breading.

Breading is tasteless.

Okra is tasteless.

Okra gets old after a day off the okra plant.

I AM FINALLY AT THIS POINT

I can finally share something of value. How to Harvest & Preserve Fresh Okra.

Start Here with the Okra Plants. Use your shears to cut off all okras that are 2 to 3 inches long. Those are the best & most tender.

Okra Plants Growing In Gwen's Garden Close Up of an Okra Prime for Harvesting

Next, you want to wash the okras, then dry them, then cut the stems off, and finally cut them to 1/2 inch slices. Yes, I put the stem side in the compost, and yes, I eat the tips ! No need to waste those ! Those are delicious ! And good for you !

Next - get the egg dip & breading ready !

HINT :: To me, most recipes are really bland. I always double the seasonings. Also, I season the egg dip, & the flour, & the breading !! Whatever seasonings you like !! You should always use salt & pepper, and we sometimes use Slap Ya Mama, or Tom's Rub ( my husband's special concoction ), or maybe some herbs, or garlic powder, whatever seasonings you like ! This is the part where you can be really creative !!

Egg Dip

4 Eggs, Salt, Pepper, Seasonings

Okra Breading

1/2 c Flour, 1/2 c corn meal,

1/2 c bread crumbs, 1/4 tsp paprika,

1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/2 tsp baking powder

Flour Dusting

Salt, Pepper, Seasonings

Now is when you:

Dip the okra in the egg dip for a minute

Shake off excess egg

Then dust with the flour mixture

Then soak in the egg dip for 4 to 5 minutes

Let the excess egg drain off for a few minutes

Then shake the pieces individually in the breading mix

until well coated !!

And - This is what it looks like when you are done !!

And NOW - for the preserving for future use !!

Put this tray in the deep freeze until Frozen

THEN

Put the frozen okra in a ziplock bag & put in the deep freezer for future use !! When you are ready for okra, just pull out what you want to cook !! Put it in your Fry Daddy or in your Air Oven, cook, & enjoy !!

We cooked two servings in our Air Fryer last night. I pre-heated the air fryer at 400 degrees for 4 minutes. Then I sprayed the frozen pieces with spray on olive oil, put it in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 15 minutes ( stirring halfway through ) or until the crust was golden brown. Tom really liked it that way !! He said it was the best yet !!