Buttermilk Fried Okra

Ingredients

• 0.8 cup buttermilk 
• 1.5 cups self-rising cornmeal mix white
• 0.3 teaspoon ground pepper red
• 1 pound okra fresh cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon sugar 
• 30 servings vegetable oil 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• paper towels
• sieve
• slotted spoon
• dutch oven

Directions

1. Stir together okra and buttermilk in a large bowl. Stir together cornmeal mix and next 3 ingredients in a separate large bowl.
2. Remove okra from buttermilk, in batches, using a slotted spoon. Dredge in cornmeal mixture, and place in a wire-mesh strainer. Shake off excess.
3. Pour oil to depth of 1 inch into a large, deep cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven; heat to 37
4. Fry okra, in batches, 4 minutes or until golden, turning once.
5. Drain on paper towels.