Crispy Fried Okra With Cornmeal Coating

What You'll Need:

1 pound fresh okra
2 large eggs
4 to 6 dashes hot pepper sauce
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, optional
oil for deep frying

How to Make It:

1.Heat the oven to 200 F.

2.Place a rack in a large baking pan and set aside.

3.Wash the okra and drain thoroughly.

4.Cut off the stem ends of the okra and then cut the pods crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds.

5.Heat the oil in a deep fryer or deep heavy saucepan to 370 F  to 375 F.

6.In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and hot sauce; add okra and stir to coat all pieces thoroughly.

7.In a shallow dish, combine the cornmeal, salt, ​and cayenne pepper, if using.

8.Dip okra pieces into the cornmeal mixture to coat well.

9.When the oil comes to temperature, fry the okra in batches until golden brown, about 4 to 6 minutes for each batch.

10.Drain the okra briefly on paper towels. Place the drained okra on a rack in the baking pan and put it in the preheated 200 F oven to keep warm while you cook subsequent batches.