How to Make Fried Okra

Fried okra is a Southern delicacy that you really need to try if you haven't yet. And with Summer bringing in fresh okra from the garden, there's really no excuse for not giving this recipe a go at least once.

It's really very simple to make. Just swing by your local Farmers Market and buy a big bag of okra to get started. If you've really never made it before, a handy tip is that you'll want to choose smaller sized okra because they'll be more tender than larger ones.

Fried Okra

Oil for frying

2 lbs fresh okra

1 c milk

1 c plus 2 Tbsp all purpose flour

3/4 c yellow cornmeal

4 tsp seasoned salt

1 Tbsp cornstarch

1. Prepare okra by washing and removing stem ends. Cut remaining pieces in 1/2 inch rounds.
2. In a large straight sided skillet, pour oil to a depth of 2 1/2 inches. Heat oil until a candy thermometer reaches 350 degrees.
3. In a large bowl combine okra and milk. Let stand for 15 minutes.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, seasoned salt, and cornstarch.
5. Working in batches, drain okra and dredge in flour mixture. Use a spider skimmer or a slotted spoon to lower into hot oil. Fry for about 4 minutes or until golden brown.

Now that you have fried okra under your belt, you might want to add some other Southern dishes to your repertoire. These are tried and true Harris Sisters recipes that won't disappoint:

Sweet Honey Cornbread

Crockpot Black Beans

Fried Green Tomatoes

Banana Pudding

Grandma's Old-Fashioned Fruit Cobbler