I remember a very long time ago when Mr. Riaz and me was a brand new couple. We had just moved in to our new apartment back then and around this time got me an electric skillet so I can cook dinner. We still have this and it still works very well like if it is brand new. We used this until our gas could be connected so we can cook on the stove in our kitchen.
I also got a package of Morningstar farms okra patties from a health food store somewhere on Torndale and Broadway here in Chicago and this was a very long time ago. We lived in that building or many years then we moved to our present location where we also lived for many years. I also remembered making a gravy to go with it which made these even more satisfiying. At this time I was a vegetarian but I also ate fish and sometimes a bit of chicken because I went to the gym at this time.
This was very shortly before I took shahaddah and became Muslim. This is where someone I delcared there is no God but Allah and Prophet Mohamed Sallah Allahi Wasalam is his last messenger meaning Peace Be Upon Him. Me becoming a revert happened later that year. I have been activly studying Islam. Also I still study and learning is from cradle to grave.
Recently I typed in a search engine okra patties to see if I can see the same item I bought years ago and it gave me a couple of links instead on how to make them. I studied it and then put my own spin on it when I did and now I am sharing my recipe with you guys.
Take l package of either fresh or frozen okra and place in to a food processor. The frozen ones are presliced anyway all you have to do is pour it in the food processor. For fresh just trim the tops and bottoms off cut them twice where they are in to 3 segments and add to food processor and pulse them until they are chopped. Set these to the side.
In large mixing bowl add 1 cup each of all purpose unbleached flower and either yellow or white cornmeal, 1 pinch of black peppercorns crushed in mortar and pestle, either 1 pinch of pink salt, vegtea seasoning or seasoned salt, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of water a little at a time to make a smooth batter that is thick but not runny. Add the chopped okra from the food processor and add 1 clove of garlic, either 1 onion or shallot or 3 green onions chopped and added to food processor to mince them finely and add this to the okra batter.
Mix very well and never mind the batter being kind of slimy because it is suposed to be this way. Add to a very clean and hot cast iron skillet on the stove 1/4 cup of oil of grapeseed, peanut, sunflower, safflower, vegetable, corn, canola or avocado and fry until golden in batches of 3 until okra batter is used up. Drain on absorbant paper towel lined pot. This is extremly delicious with either vinegar or even hot sauce is added.
