I am becoming far too familiar with my cast-iron skillet. And, honestly, I'm really not mad about it. I'd like to think that layers of magic have been worked into the skillet over the years, making everything extra-yummy, seasoned just-so and perfectly crisp, when really it's probably just because I'm using gallons of vegetable oil.
Last week, our neighbors graciously gifted us with a basket full of okra and banana peppers (have I mentioned how I'm not really all that great at gardening?), so we decided to deep fry those puppies. Fried banana pepper is surprisingly good. The recipe below is one I adapted from boyfriend's mom — she's a true Southern belle if I've ever met one — and I know we'll be using it again and again.
Easiest Fried Okra Ever
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 cup Alabama King cornmeal
1/2 tbs black pepper
1/2 tbs Adobo seasoning
1/2 tbs powdered garlic
1/2 tbs salt
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
5-7 okra
5-7 banana peppers
vegetable oil
cast-iron skillet
Instructions:
Slice the okra and banana pepper into thin rings.
Make an egg wash: Crack one egg into a medium-sized bowl, then pour the milk in. Whisk together until slightly fluffy.
Mix all of the dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal, pepper, Adobo, garlic, salt) in a second medium sized bowl.
Working from one bowl to the other, dip the vegetables in the egg wash and then roll them in the breading mixture, placing the breaded pieces on a dry plate.
Once finished, put the plate in the refrigerator to chill (it helps the breading stay on). Pour enough vegetable oil into your cast-iron skillet so it's 3/4 full.
Once the oil is hot, fry the breaded okra and banana peppers until golden-brown.
Take out and let rest on a paper towel.
Last week, our neighbors graciously gifted us with a basket full of okra and banana peppers (have I mentioned how I'm not really all that great at gardening?), so we decided to deep fry those puppies. Fried banana pepper is surprisingly good. The recipe below is one I adapted from boyfriend's mom — she's a true Southern belle if I've ever met one — and I know we'll be using it again and again.
Easiest Fried Okra Ever
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 cup Alabama King cornmeal
1/2 tbs black pepper
1/2 tbs Adobo seasoning
1/2 tbs powdered garlic
1/2 tbs salt
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
5-7 okra
5-7 banana peppers
vegetable oil
cast-iron skillet
Instructions:
Slice the okra and banana pepper into thin rings.
Make an egg wash: Crack one egg into a medium-sized bowl, then pour the milk in. Whisk together until slightly fluffy.
Mix all of the dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal, pepper, Adobo, garlic, salt) in a second medium sized bowl.
Working from one bowl to the other, dip the vegetables in the egg wash and then roll them in the breading mixture, placing the breaded pieces on a dry plate.
Once finished, put the plate in the refrigerator to chill (it helps the breading stay on). Pour enough vegetable oil into your cast-iron skillet so it's 3/4 full.
Once the oil is hot, fry the breaded okra and banana peppers until golden-brown.
Take out and let rest on a paper towel.