Being a Southern boy there are certain foods that are near and dear to my heart...fried chicken...fried okra...fried green tomatoes...fried catfish...um wait they're all fried. No wonder I'm getting fat!..ok let's not talk about that.
While these foods might not be good for your body, they sure are good for your soul. Fried okra brings back so many memories for me. My mom used to fix it nearly everyday during the summer with the okra that my dad grew in the garden. It's still one of my favorite foods.
So how do you improve on a classic...
How about cut it big enough you can eat it like french fries...
and a dipping sauce...maybe Ranch...or Sriracha Ranch...even better.
So still reminiscent of my mom's fried okra...only better!
Sorry Mom.
When selecting okra, look for smaller pods. Larger pods tend to be tough and fiberous. Some people don't like okra, because of it's slimy texture...but a quick soak in buttermilk fixes that.
I used pretty much the same breading as my mom and most ever Southern cook...a mix of flour and cornmeal.
Then the dipping sauce...trust me you want to make this! After you have it once you will be wanting to dip everything in it.
Fried Okra with Sriracha Ranch Dipping Sauce
1 lb fresh okra, pods no longer than 4 inches
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup self-rising cornmeal
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
a few grinds of black pepper
vegetable oil, for frying
Cut off and discard the stem end of the okra pods. Cut the pods in half lengthwise and place in a large bowl. Pour the buttermilk over the okra and let it sit for 30 minutes. Meanwhile in a shallow dish combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, cayenne, and black pepper. Remove the okra from the buttermilk with a slottled spoon and bread in the cornmeal mixture in batches. Fry the okra in batches in oil heated to 350 degrees for about 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown. Drain the okra on paper towels.
For the Srirach Ranch Dipping Sauce:
Mix together 1/2 cup Ranch dressing and 2 tsp Sriracha.
This makes a great appetizer or a great alternative to french fries.
looks wonderful and its awesome how we can tweak and perfect recipes isn't it :-)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE fried okra!! I went to college with this girl who's mom was from the south and every other Sunday we would go to her house and she would cook up this amazing southern lunch for us...it always included fried okra!!
ReplyDeleteI have to admitt I have not yet tried fried okra...I know I know...I see it everywhere down here. But you have now shown me how it is done! It is top on my "to make" list this summer! Funny I do have buttermilk in the fridge and a new bag of cornmeal! I'm all set! I have used sriracha and mayo for a dipping sauce, I can't wait to try ranch and sriracha...why didn't I think of that? That's why I keep coming back here! Thanks! :D
ReplyDeleteI love fried okra...if I could only get the rest of my family to love it too. This looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteYeehaw! I haven't had fried okra in such a long time because I've just been roasting it when it comes in the garden every summer. But you've got my Southern mouth watering!
ReplyDeletehttp://everydaychampagne.blogspot.com/2010/08/okra.html
When I saw the title of your post on my blog, I said to myself, "He's such a Southern boy." And then you start by saying the same thing. Made me lauch out loud. I am a huge okra fan. I made it a few weeks back from frozen whole pieces. It wasn't perfect, but we enjoyed it.
ReplyDeletedude, from one southern boy to another, this recipe is rocking...off the charts..yum. You can never have enough fried food, or butter as far as I'm concerned ;)
ReplyDeletespot on.
Oh man does that look good! I love the sauce too.
ReplyDeletelong live fried okra!
ReplyDeleteI've never had okra. I was in Alabama last year and finally got to try grits. Now I'm hooked so I may just have to try okra for the first time.
ReplyDeleteyummy:)) everyday I think about going to vegetarianism..:) I hope you're alright!
ReplyDeletehugs
J.
you whip up such amazing stuff Bo; so neat... yea fried Okra is a greatly preferred side for us Indians too!
ReplyDeletechk out one of my fave blogs: nashplateful.blogspot.com
I love sriracha. I can see myself dipping all sorts of things into that sauce of yours.
ReplyDeleteLove me some okra!!! I just love your dipping sauce. That just takes it to a whole notha level for me!
ReplyDeleteNow that really looks good. I have to admit that I have never cooked Okra (hope that did not cause shock as a reaction)... so I definitely will pick some up next time I see them.
ReplyDeleteI love deep fried okra! There is a local BBQ spot and they serve it, I eat the whole order myself. Yum this looks good, and the sauce too.
ReplyDeleteFried okra is one of my favorite guilty pleasures! I stop by Church's Chicken sometimes and just order okra to eat as I run my errands. I like the changes your made to your mothers recipe and the sauce sounds yummy!
ReplyDeleteNow That's what I'm talkin about! Love anything with a Srirach mayo...but you just made it better with the ranch!!!! I've never cooked okra!!!
ReplyDeleteI love okra, i must try this soon, look so good!
ReplyDeleteThis dip sounds so good, never would have thought about that with okra....YUM!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds delicious, Bo! And the dip sounds insane! :)
ReplyDeleteCheers~
I just said bad words and book marked this to try soon. Fried okra and sriracha? Get the bleep out! I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteI tried growing okra this year but was not successful. I love okra, and fried is one of my favorite ways to eat it. I hope to get some growing next year!
ReplyDeleteI am saving this recipe Bo! Yummy, too bad no one cooked it for me last week :( I guess we know who the cooks are in our family right? LOL
ReplyDeleteOh and don't forget those freakin great brownies below too- dessert!
ReplyDelete