I rallied this afternoon and eventually did go for a walk – a longer walk than anticipated! Sarah Smart came over for a visit and we walked downtown together. She was on her way to get her nails done with a Groupon and we had a time walking all around finding the salon! I ran a few errands and took the long way home. Couldn’t have done it without icy water in my bag!
While it wasn’t too hot for walking, it was definitely too hot for running, but Matt came home to run anyways! I insisted he wear the camelbak of ice water and he is now very glad he took my advice!
While he ran, I made dinner
For dinner tonight I had plans to cook a bunch of veggies together into a hash of sorts. But one look at this okra had me craving our Better Than Fried Okra recipe!
This requires cutting the pods into bite-size pieces and dunking them into egg and milk batter
Followed by cornmeal spiked with salt, pepper and smoked paprika
Egg ‘em
Bread ‘em
And then bake for 35 minutes at 400*
And you’ll have good ole Southern “fried” okra
I recommend a dunk in ketchup!
Better Than Fried Okra
Ingredients
- Fresh okra - about a pint of pods.
- 1-2 eggs depending on how much you're making
- Course ground cornmeal - enough to roll the okra around in. Maybe start with a cup? Add more if you need more.
- Kosher salt to taste - perhaps a tsp
- Seasonings of your choice - we like creole cayenne, smoked paprika or herbs.
Instructions
- Okra comes in pods, which you’ll want to cut into bite-sized pieces.
- They have a gooey, slimy inside, so don’t worry you got a bad one. It’s great for thickening dishes!
- Dip those in a mixture of egg
- And then roll them into some cornmeal (blue or yellow) mixed with salt and seasonings
- Spread onto a baking sheet topped with a wire rack (you can do this without the rack, but it lets more air flow and more even cooking)
- And bake at 400* for about 30 minutes, until they start to crisp and brown.
On the side I made the hash with green beans, lots of frozen lima beans and corn, fresh tomatoes and Creole seasoning
Served with some zucchini bread on the side. Early dessert!
I didn’t quite finish all of this, but I got most of it in!
We are working on a few fun porch projects in anticipation of a party we’re having this weekend! After we finish, it’s book time. I’m reading The History Of Love for book club, plus Bradley Method and still 50 Shades Of Grey #3 when I’m in the mood to not think too hard : )
Jamie R says
Looks amazing! Love okra and this looks like an awesome way to prepare it!
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says
I’m from Texas and I’ve actually never had okra. I’ve always been a bit afraid of it. Maybe I need to finally take the plunge and try it!
KathEats says
It’s one of my favorite veggies!
Logan says
Mine too!
Hillary says
The History of Love is one of the most beautiful, poetic novels I’ve ever read. Hope you’re enjoying it!
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says
I’ve never had okra. I really should. This looks like a good way to dive in!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
I tried okra once. I bought it frozen. It was o.k. at first but then it turned really slimy. Was it just because it was frozen?
Your recipe sounds good so maybe I’ll have to try it again with fresh okra.
KathEats says
Okra has a natural slime inside and it’s for this reason that it’s great for thickening soups and dishes! I used to be grossed out by it, but just think of it like chia seeds!
Carly says
I’ve never had okra, but I love anything breaded and dunked in ketchup, so that recipe looks pretty good to me. Can’t wait to read a recap of your party! Who doesn’t love parties? :-).
Anonymous says
Eek! I would HIGHLY suggest changing the title of this post! You’re referencing a film that is widely recognized as racially insensitive (if not downright racist) and highly offensive. I know you meant it in a different context, but I still find this problematic.
KathEats says
It’s a well known country song?
kristen says
how does ‘song of the south’ sound racist in any way?
Andrea says
I’m wondering the same thing… what’s the film you’re talking about?
Elisabeth says
I’m guessing he/she is referring to the Disney movie ‘Song of the South’? I know there’s been some controversy regarding racism in the movie & that it’s never been released on video/dvd for that reason. However, I’m sure you weren’t referring to that in any way when you wrote the post!
Rachel says
Anonymous, is talking about “Song of the South” (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038969/) which is a 1946 Disney movie no longer marketed in the USA for racial reasons. The song “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” is from the movie. Though it is also a country song, this movie was the first thing that popped into my mind as well.
Joannie says
Oh give me a break
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Thanks for the lovely walk! I now have bright yellow, sunshiny nails. Hopefully they don’t chip before Saturday…. 😉
KathEats says
How was it!?
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Good! She was really nice and it looks good. 🙂
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
I love okra! That looks delicious!
Andrea says
I’ve never tried okra and actually didn’t know what it was until somewhat recently! Is the taste similar to another veggie? Random question – when you don’t finish meals on your plate do you just add your leftovers into the other leftovers? I usually do since it’s normally just me for a meal, but was just curious! Have a cool night!
KathEats says
Husband usually eats them… Or if there’s a lot ill save for leftovers
Andrea says
Ohh I see well that is handy then 🙂
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i love okra fried. but any other way, slime city!
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
I’ve never tried okra before but it actually looks pretty good in those pictures. I’ll have to see if our local grocery store carries it – might be a fun new veggie to try!
Sarah @ Learning to Feed Yourself says
It is too cold in Wisconsin to grow okra sadly. I am so interested in trying it!! I may give in one of these days and try some frozen okra.
mary @ minutespermile says
in my hometown of nashville okra is like a staple food! but always fried. glad to see this healthier alternative.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
It was way too hot even for walking over here. Summer is definitely upon us!
Meagan says
I am scared of okra… what’s a good way to prepare it for a beginner?
Marge says
Yes, there is a racist movie from Disney called “Song of the South” from the late 1940’s.i am sure your generation is truly unaware of the title and it’s implications. However,although you certainly didn’t intend it, the phrase could offend some readers.
KathEats says
Well please let me clarify here that my title has nothing to do with this film or anything it implies. I was referencing the southern food in my post while humming the Alabama song
Ann says
I’m a 28 year old black woman, have never heard of this movie and, now that I have, still find this discussion ridiculous. Clearly Kath didn’t mean anything by it. Let’s move on.
Kate says
I LOVE that movie. It’s Uncle Remus! Clearly Disney didn’t have an objection to it, as Splash Mountain is entirely based upon it. Plus, it isn’t racist. It’s history. That’s like saying “Gone with the Wind” is racist because they show black slaves.
Katy says
I’m not trying to start a flame war here – but I wouldn’t use the logic that just because something is created/perpetuated by Disney that means it’s exempt from having racist under/overtones.
Sara says
And now I am humming that Alabama song in my head 🙂 That’s what I took it to mean when I saw it–the song.
Molly @ RDexposed says
Snatching up the recommended 11 servings by dinner. A+ RD!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
fried okra, lima beans and corn, Creole seasoning…some Southern soul food right there!
Cait's Plate says
You always look okra look so much more appetizing then I’m ever able to. Every time I try to work with it, the slim gets the better of me. Does frying it take that away?
Looks like a delicious dinner – I love that side of beans/veggies!
KathEats says
Yeah it dries out some
Julia H. @ Going Gulia says
How did you like the second and third “50 Shades” books? I read the first and liked it as a fun summer read, but I’ve held off on reading the last two so far because I feel like they’ll just be more of the same chock-full-of-sex-scenes business. I want a little more story than that! Should I check out the last two?
KathEats says
The plot does pick up, but not by leaps and bounds. And the scenes in the first are the most awkward… It gets a little better. But the inner goddess and “my fifty” stuff gets worse.
Leslie says
“Song, song of the south, sweet potato pie and shut my mouth. Gone, gone like the wind, ain’t nobody lookin back again.” Love the group Alabama, their songs are classic country. That dinner loos like a great classic southern country dinner. No offense taken here. Now I have that song stuck in my head though. Have a lovely night.
kristen @ verbs and vignettes says
I found out about okra a couple of years ago. I love it! but I’ve still never had it fried. this baked version sounds delicious!!! I wonder if it would work with frozen. they’d probably be too soggy. I don’t usually see fresh around here.
Khushboo says
I haven’t had okra in forever: love baking it in the oven!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I’ve not tried okra before – not even sure where to get it in the UK. But I will put more effort into looking for it now, so I can give this a go.
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
I’ve never had okra before. I’ve always wanted to try it though. I’m going to have to try preparing it like how you did. It looks good 🙂
Zoe @ loseweightandgainhealth says
I dislike slimy oka. We tend to find it here in Indian curries and the slime has always put me off. I am growing Okra for the first time in the hope that I will like it fresh picked. Your recipe looks great and I will def try that – thanks
Lexi @ You, Me, & A World to See says
I know some people can’t stand the “sliminess” of okra, but I love it! Definitely one of my all-time favs.
Kristina says
I just finished Nicole Krauss’s Great House and I bought The History of Love recently. Looking forward to starting it, I heard it’s so good!
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
Well, I cannot say okra is one of my favourite veggies. I just cannot seem to rap my head around the sliminess…and I love chia seeds! Maybe it is time to give them another try!
[email protected] Broken Cookies Don't Count says
The okra looks so good. I’ve never cooked it, but I think I’ll give this a try!
Amanda @ Dogs, Chocolate and Fruits & Veggies says
Do you have any tips for the breadcrumbs to stick? I tried making green bean fries this weekend, but the breadcrumbs feel off immediately! Maybe it had to do with the fact the green beans were still hot and moist from being blanched..
KathEats says
Did you use an egg wash first?
Amanda @ Dogs, Chocolate and Fruits & Veggies says
Two beaten eggs with the yolk.
KathEats says
Hmmm…I’m not sure. Maybe try adding a splash of milk – the eggs might be too slimey to stick and the milk as a watery liquid might help with that?
Gina says
Ooooh, The History of Love! Although I thought it was a little bit slow at first, I REALLY loved that book…chills and tears:)
Ashley @ Hudson on the Potomac says
I loveee fried okra!! I haven’t had it since my days at JMU! I’ll have to bake some up on my own! Thanks Kath!
Amanda @flecksofgreen says
The Okra looks so good! I have to say that my favorite way to eat Okra is when it is pickled in a jar!
Angel7 says
I have not made zucchini bread yet, but cannot wait to! I love zucchini bread a lot!
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