Fried Okra with Spicy Buttermilk Dipping Sauce
 
Makes about 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 cup plain yellow cornmeal
  • 1½ cups whole buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce*
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1 pound fresh okra pods, trimmed and cut in half lengthwise
  • Spicy Buttermilk Dipping Sauce (recipe follows)
Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and garlic powder. In a large shallow pan, whisk together cornmeal and half of flour mixture. In another medium bowl, stir together buttermilk and hot sauce.
  2. In a large cast-iron skillet, pour oil to a depth of ½ inch, and heat over medium heat until an instant-read thermometer registers 350°.
  3. Working in batches, place okra in flour mixture, tossing to coat and shaking off excess. Dip in buttermilk mixture, letting excess drip off. Dredge in cornmeal mixture, shaking off excess.
  4. Working in batches, carefully add okra to hot oil, and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. (Let oil return to 350° between batches.) Remove from oil using a spider strainer or slotted spoon, and let drain on paper towels. Season to taste with salt, and serve with Spicy Buttermilk Dipping Sauce.
Recipe by Louisiana Cookin' at https://louisianacookin.com/fried-okra-with-spicy-buttermilk-dipping-sauce/