Crispy Okra Salad Recipes

CHARRED OKRA SALAD WITH GARLICKY YOGURT

Steps:

• Squeeze the juice of half a lime into a bowl and add the red onion slices, then stir in honey, a large pinch each of salt and pepper, and cayenne. Let sit at room temperature while preparing the other ingredients (or for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to meld). Stir occasionally. Before serving, taste and add more salt or squeeze in more lime juice, if you like.
• Heat the broiler and line a sheet pan with foil. Add okra to the pan, drizzle with enough oil to coat the pods and sprinkle with salt, tossing well. Arrange okra into one layer. Broil until tender and charred, 5 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with cumin right out of the oven while still hot. Taste and add more salt or cumin, if you like. Let cool slightly.
• While the okra broils, make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine yogurt, garlic and a squeeze or two of lime juice. Slowly whisk in 3 to 4 tablespoons of oil until the dressing has the texture of heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine lettuce, arugula, herbs, cucumber and tomato. Season to taste with a squeeze of lime juice, a little more olive oil to coat the vegetables, and salt and pepper, tossing well.
• To serve, place salad on individual plates. Top with okra. Drizzle with yogurt dressing, and garnish with some of the cayenne onions. Serve immediately.

CRISPY OKRA SALAD

Steps:

• In small mixing bowl, stir together onion, tomato, and cilantro. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• In wide, 4-inch-deep heavy pot over moderate heat, heat 1 1/2 to 2 inches oil until deep-fat thermometer registers 350°F. Fry okra in batches (returning oil to 350°F between batches) until golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer fried okra to paper towels to drain.
• In large mixing bowl, combine okra, onion-tomato mixture, lemon juice, salt, and chaat masala. Toss gently and serve immediately.

OKRA SALAD WITH TOASTED CUMIN

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Put cumin, coriander and caraway seeds in a small dry skillet over medium-high heat. Shake pan and toast seeds until fragrant and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Let seeds cool, then grind to a coarse powder in a mortar or electric spice mill. Transfer to a small bowl and add paprika and cayenne. Whisk in olive oil, lemon juice and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
• Bring a large saucepan of well-salted water to a boil. Add okra and cook for 2 minutes, until firm-tender. Drain and rinse with cool water, then blot with a kitchen towel. Set aside.
• To serve, place okra in a serving bowl. Season lightly with salt and toss with dressing. (Leave to marinate for up to 1 hour if desired.) Garnish with olives, chopped cilantro and some cilantro sprigs.

OKRA SALAD

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until evenly browned, then remove to paper towels to drain. Pour off most of the bacon grease, leaving a thin coating on the pan. Add okra to the bacon grease in the skillet, and fry until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the okra to a salad bowl, and toss with the onion, green pepper, and tomato. Crumble in the bacon.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, corn oil, and vinegar until the sugar has dissolved. Pour over the salad, and toss to coat. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

GRILLED OKRA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil grate. Combine the vinegar, tomato, onion, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
• Cook the okra on the preheated grill until a few black areas have developed on its skin, about 5 minutes. Toss the okra with the tomato mixture, and serve.