Video:Prepare Fried Okra

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Transcript:Prepare Fried Okra

Hi, I'm Rachel Edelman for About.com Food. Today I'm going to show you how to prepare and cook okra.

Fried Okra Ingredients

For this recipe you will need:

• oil for frying
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup of yellow cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Cajun spicesv
• okra

Selecting and Storing Okra

Look for young pods free of bruises that are tender but not too soft. They should be less than 4 inches long. When you get home, wrap them in a paper towel and then place them in an open plastic bag.

Prepare the Okra

To cook with okra, first wash it. Next, cut off the tips and cut off the stems. When cut, okra releases a sticky substance with thickening properties that's useful for soups and stews.

When eating okra alone, breaded and fried okra is popular, because the slippery substance is less pronounced. Starting with about 1 1/2 pounds of okra, cut the pods into 1/4 inch slices.

Season the Okra

Season the okra with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. In a plate or a shallow bowl, combine 1/2 cup of yellow cornmeal and 1 tablespoon of flour.

For some extra flavor, add some of your favorite spices to the bowl. Then, roll the okra in the mixture.

Fry the Okra

In a frying pan, pour enough oil to cover the okra. Then place the coated okra in the pan and then fry until they are golden brown. Store cooked okra in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at food.about.com.