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Monday, July 18, 2011

Things I love about Summer... Part 2

Something else that I love about Summer is....

OKRA
I am absolutely head over heels in love with okra! As any Southern girl should be, I suppose. There is something so relaxing about spending a couple of hours in my grandparents' garden with them just talking and cutting okra. If you don't have a garden to get fresh okra from, have no fear! You can stop by a produce stand during the summer months and pick up some!

Some people complain about the ooey-gooey-ness of okra. But, with these recipes, you're sure to enjoy this little Southern gem.

My top 3 favorite things to do with okra:
1. Fry it! Everything is better fried, right? Cut the tops and bottoms off of the okra and discard. Cut the okra into small slices and sprinkle corn meal on it stirring to ensure that all piece are coated lightly. In a skillet, heat up about 4 tbsp. of canola oil. Once the oil is hot, toss in the okra. Let the okra cook for about 30 minutes, turning over about every 10 minutes. Cook it until its dark brown and crispy. If the pan is dry, add a little bit more oil as needed.

2. Put it in vegetable soup! I love fresh veggie soup, so much that I freeze it also! Add some sliced okra to your normal veggie soup at the beginning.

3. Grill it! During the summer, I hardly ever use my stove. The grill is where it's at! Take okra and cut the tops off. Slice down the center long ways. Spray with some non-stick olive oil spray, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and put on the grill. Let it grill about about 4 minutes on each side.

Do you have any other delicious ideas for okra?



3 comments:

Vanessa said...

I've never had okra. Does that make me a true northerner? :) I do think a great blog idea would be your freezer tips of veggies. :)

Jada Hazlett said...

Yes, that does! You and Ryan will have to come over for supper one day soon and have some! And I think that's a good idea too- thanks! :)

Vanessa said...

That would be great!!!