BEA'S OVEN FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400. Beat the egg really well. Wash then slice okra right into the egg and coat slices really well. Mix flour & spices together. Drop okra into flour and toss until well coated. Pour a little oil onto a cookie sheet or baking pan, tilting pan until well coated.
• 2. Shake off excess flour from okra slices and place in single layer into the oiled pan. Roll slices into oil just to lightly coat them.
• 3. Bake (uncovered) at 400 until crispy & golden, which depending on your oven may take approximately 40 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• 4. TIP: I whisked the egg in a medium size bowl. I dropped the okra into the bowl as I sliced it. Once I was done slicing the okra I rolled them around with my hands to coat well. I put about 1 1/2 cups of flour in a plastic grocery bag (I actually use two for a security measure) then added the seasonings. Then I put the okra into the bag and twisted the opening shut and started shaking until the okra was coated with the flour.
• 5. GRILLED OKRA: Wash and slice okra. Toss with Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix. Lightly spray an aluminum disposable pan. Shake off excess batter and place into pan. Grill (uncovered) until crispy and golden brown. Another beach buddy, Kathy, told me about this technique. These are really good, too.
• 6. BOILED OKRA: Wash okra but leave whole with a little stem on end. Place in a saucepan and cover with water. Add salt, black pepper, a little olive oil and about 2 tablespoons of vinegar (that's the secret). Boil til okra has changed colors and is tender. I like boiling mine to the point that they are just beginning to split open. My best friend, Ann's mother, cooked okra this way. I never cared for boiled okra until I ate Ann's mother's okra cooked like this. I think the vinegar makes all the difference.