Need Ideas for Fried Okra Coating

[Analog Girl]

I have been frying okra for years, used to use flour coating like my Mom, but switched years ago to a little milk mixed with the okra and then cornmeal because we liked the crunch. However, a couple of us have become old geezers now and our teeth have more of a problem with that crunch we loved in days gone by. Getting old is the best thing that ever happened to me. How's that for a positive attitude? I would love to see all of your ideas for good breading or batters that would make our okra experience awesome again without breaking our teeth.

[Richtee]

Having just discovered okra recently... and not easy to find... I have nothing to help. Heck..I'm still trying to fry it right...

BUT- in other recipes I have used for other stuff... try breadcrumbs. Dry out some decent bread, put it in a HD baggie and run the truck over it a few times, season as you will...

[Slanted88]

Linda Lou uses Whistlestop that we get from Winn Dixie...I like it...okree, fried green maters fried pickles, fried pickled okree...good gig stuff!

[Squirrel]

I dip mine in seasoned AP flour, then in buttermilk, drain just so the okra is just lightly wet then dredge in White Lily buttermilk cornmeal mix. Let that set up 15 minutes before pan frying in ....... DUCK FAT!!! I also like to toss in a tablespoon of bacon fat if I have it. It's a light coating. I don't care for any other kind. Good luck! Man, I want some with fresh tomatoes. Mmmmmm........Think I'll go get some.

[L20A]

I use 1/2 corn meal and 1/2 ap flour with some garlic powder, onion powder and s & p to taste.

[Analog Girl]

[QUOTE=

Dry out some decent bread, put it in a HD baggie and run the truck over it a few times, season as you will...[/QUOTE] Ok, messed up the quote. It's a Richtee quote if you forgot during the scroll.

Oh, Cowgirl style. Although Craig's truck would get oil all over it. Would my car work?

[Analog Girl]

I dip mine in seasoned AP flour, then in buttermilk, drain just so the okra is just lightly wet then dredge in White Lily buttermilk cornmeal mix. Let that set up 15 minutes before pan frying in ....... DUCK FAT!!! I also like to toss in a tablespoon of bacon fat if I have it. It's a light coating. I don't care for any other kind. Good luck! Man, I want some with fresh tomatoes. Mmmmmm........Think I'll go get some.

This sound like a must try! Buuuuut, you got me at White Lily buttermilk cornmeal mix and ........... DUCK FAT!!! Maybe I could find the cornmeal mix but the ........DUCK FAT!!!, I'm not so sure. Might have to google that.

[Bearcarver]

Can't help---Never had it----Must be a Southern food.

Or Check with somebody from Okrahoma??


Bear

[Analog Girl]

Can't help---Never had it----Must be a Southern food.

Or Check with somebody from Okrahoma??


Bear

My Mother's side of the family was from Okrahoma. That might be where I had it for the first time and fell in love with it forever. They had it on their buffet lines. Took years before it migrated to Kansas. We have it on our buffet lines now. You realize, of course, that I'm talking about 30+ years ago.

[Slanted88]

In our old sandy soil I do post hole okra...dig a hole/plant & next gig...

[Fishawn]

Panko?

Just aboot everything I fry gets the WA 4 step..... milk, seasoned flour, egg, cracker crumbs (Club is our favorite, or Ritz)

[SMOKE FREAK]

I dip mine in seasoned AP flour, then in buttermilk, drain just so the okra is just lightly wet then dredge in White Lily buttermilk cornmeal mix. Let that set up 15 minutes before pan frying in ....... DUCK FAT!!! I also like to toss in a tablespoon of bacon fat if I have it. It's a light coating. I don't care for any other kind. Good luck! Man, I want some with fresh tomatoes. Mmmmmm........Think I'll go get some.

OK Cheryl...Lets assume for just a minute that someone who is NOT a chef wants to fry some okra...Lets assume that Crisco is as close as we are ever gonna come to duck fat...And that W.L. buttermilk chit is not available...

Sounds like we just need to go with the old tried and true...Mix in some milk and stir till the snot is thoroughly spread...Maybe instead of corn meal...Penko has been mentioned and also flour...I guess we be doin some experimenting soon...

[Analog Girl]

However, Panko can still break your teeth and scratch your gums! Probably too much information than y'all wanted to know. Although, it is still the only thing I would ever use to fry great shrimp.

[Analog Girl]

Linda Lou uses Whistlestop that we get from Winn Dixie...I like it...okree, fried green maters fried pickles, fried pickled okree...good gig stuff!

Winn Dixie is something I have heard of but can't remember where. We don't have them here, but maybe something I can Google. Thanks for the input.

[HistoricFoodie]

Try doing it tempura style; a nice, light batter that lets the full flavor of the okra come through.

There are numerous recipes for tempura. Here's the one I use:

Tempura Batter

3/4 cup rice flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4-1 cup seltzer or club soda
1 egg

Stir dry ingredients together. Stir in egg and selzer and beat until smooth.


Good for veggies, seafood, or fish filets.

BTW, if you're overwhelmed with okra (and if you're growing your own you probably are) here's a trick: Dry it in the dehydrator and powder it. Use the powder to both flavor and thicken soups, stews and sauces.