Simple Summer Fried Okra Salad

ZIRJ's Mama's Note:

This is so good it'll make your lips smack your brains out. A really simple dish that my Uncle Ronnie made up, and it is one of my Mama's favorites (mine too!) Tastes better with produce fresh from your garden or farmer's market.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 lbs okra , sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
• 2 eggs
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 1 cup cornmeal
• ½ cup flour
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons season salt
• 1 tomato , diced
• 1 small purple onion , diced
• ½ cup cheddar cheese , shredded

Directions:

1. Put the oil in a skillet and get it heating up.
2. Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, mix the 2 eggs with the milk and beat until nice and light yellow.
3. Mix cornmeal, flour, and season salt in a shallow bowl.
4. Take a handful of okra, and put it in the egg mixture.
5. With a slotted spoon, fish all of the okra out, and dump in the cornmeal/flour mixture.
6. With a separate slotted spoon fish the okra out of that mixture and gently place into the hot oil.
7. Fry until golden brown and delicious.
8. Use a slotted spoon to fish the okra out of the oil and place it on a sheet pan that has been lined with several layers of paper towel, or a paper bag with paper towels on top.
9. Repeat until all okra has been fried.
10. Place the drained fried okra into a salad bowl and add the diced tomato, diced onion, and the cheese.
11. Gently toss together, and taste to check for seasoning.
12. Salt and pepper to taste.