Cookbook: $10
The Piedmont Garden: $15
Also: Mrs. Garrison's Book on Manners: $3
Sample Recipes
Okra
Boiled Okra
1 quart tender okra pods 2" to 3"..............................Denver Downs Farm Market
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon vinegar
Wash okra removing stems close to pod. Heat water to boiling and add the pods of okra. Boil gently until tender, about 20 minutes or so. Rapid boiling will cause the pods to break and become sticky. Near end of cooking time add the salt to the water. When tender drain the pods in a colander, lay them on the serving dish. Melt the butter, add the vinegar and salt and pepper if desired and pour mixture over the okra.
Fried Okra
Okra, as much as you need........................................Denver Downs Farm Market
Salt and pepper to taste
Corn meal
Vegetable oil
Wash okra, trim bloom end and remove stem. cut crosswise into 3/8 inch slices.
Coat with the mixture of salt, pepper, and corn meal. Heat oil (or bacon drippings) and fry the okra until a golden brown. Donât overcook! Some cooks use a mixture of corn meal and flour.
Creole Okra
1 1/2 cups sliced tender okra.............................................Denver Downs Farm Market
4 tablespoons minced onion................................................Denver Downs Farm Market
4 tablespoons minced green pepper....................................Denver Downs Farm Market
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups peeled, chopped tomato.....................................Denver Downs Farm Market
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Saute okra, onion, and green pepper in the butter over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the tomato, sugar, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat 10 to 15 minutes stirring occasionally. Serves 4.
What is Gumbo? Gumbo is one name for the okra plant. The scientific name is Abelmoschas esculentus but it is more commonly known as okra, gumbo, gobo, and gombo. The two varieties most often cultivated are 'Clemson Spineless' and 'Emerald.'
Along the Gulf coast okra is the major ingredient in a soup called "gumbo." The okra or gumbo serves as a thickening agent. The okra, or gumbo, is often combined with other vegetables and meats, especially seafood to make a thick soup.
Shrimp and Okra Gumbo
2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 pounds okra, sliced..............................................Denver Downs Farm Market
2 medium onions, finely chopped...............................Denver Downs Farm Market
2 tablespoons chopped bell pepper..........................Denver Downs Farm Market
2 tablespoons chopped celery
4 tablespoons cooking oil
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup water
Salt, pepper, and red pepper
Mix okra, onions, bell pepper and celery in oil, cover and cook over medium heat for 45 minutes or until okra is cooked. Add the tomato sauce and 1 cup water. Add shrimp and season to taste. cook about 15 minutes. Serve plain in bowl or over cooked rice.
Okra Fingers
20 small pods of fresh okra -2" -3".............................Denver Downs Farm Market
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
Vegetable oil
Wash Okra, trim stems. Drain well and place in a shallow container. Pour the buttermilk over the okra and set aside.
Combine four, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and pepper. Heat oil to deep frying temperature (375d.).
Remove each pod of okra from the buttermilk and carefully roll it in the cornmeal mixture. Drop into the hot oil and fry 3 to 5 minutes, turning once. Drain on wire racks or paper towels. Serves 4.
Okra-Corn-Tomato-Medley
1 medium onion, chopped....................................................Denver Downs Farm Market
3 tablespoons bacon drippings or butter
2 cups sliced fresh okra.........................................................Denver Downs Farm Market
2 cups fresh corn cut from cob...............................................Denver Downs Farm Market
3 cups peeled and chopped tomatoes.....................................Denver Downs Farm Market
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Saute onion in the bacon drippings until tender then add okra slices and cook 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add the remaining ingredients, stir well, cove, and simmer 15 minutes until the corn is tender. Serves 6.
