"fried" Okra, Southern-style

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 1 red chili pepper
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 lb fresh okra
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• sea salt
• ground black pepper

Recipe

• 1 top the chili pepper and score it down the middle. we use red thai chilis.
• 2 peel and smash the clove of garlic, leaving it mostly intact. set aside with the chili pepper.
• 3 wash and thoroughly dry the okra. cut off and discard ends. slice into 1/8" slices on the diagonal.
• 4 heat a non-stick frying pan/skillet over medium heat. when hot, add 1 tbsp of the oil, the chili pepper, and the garlic. stir-fry for one minute, then discard the chili pepper and garlic.
• 5 add the sliced okra to the pan, stirring frequently. stir-fry for five minutes.
• 6 add the remaining 1 tbsp oil and sprinkle with sea salt and a couple of grinds of black pepper, to taste. continue to stir-fry the okra for another 5-10 minutes, depending on how soft or crunchy you want your okra-- the longer you fry it, the softer it will get. i prefer mine softer. your okra should be browned somewhat to get the authentic "southern" flavor of fried okra.
• 7 remove to a warm plate and serve immediately.