My love for okra began as a child and continues to border on just this side of insanity. I love okra.
As a young boy, I would smuggle a brown bag full of fried okra into the movies as my better-than-popcorn snack. On Sunday nights, I was famous for making fried okra and creamed corn sandwiches with fresh slices of tomato and loads of Duke’s mayonnaise. Years later, while studying in Italy, I realized that Italians also took leftover vegetables and made sandwiches. All you need are cold vegetables, bread, and mayo.
The Caesar salad treatment makes this lighter than a sandwich, although if you want to give it more heft, you can add shrimp, chicken, or duck.
Recipe information
Yield
6 servings
Ingredients
For the salad:
2
1
2½
½
½
¼
For the Creole Caesar dressing:
⅔
3
2
2
½
1
1
¼
2
¼
Need to make a substitution?
Preparation
For the salad:
Step 1
Place half the fried okra in a large bowl and add the romaine, corn, corn bread, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Add the dressing and toss until well coated.
Step 2
Divide the salad among six serving plates and top evenly with the remaining okra. Serve immediately.
For the Creole Caesar dressing:
Step 3
In a small saucepan, combine the oil, garlic, and onion. Cook over low heat until the garlic and onion are golden and tender, about 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic and onion to a food processor; reserve the oil.
Step 4
Add the vinegar, bell pepper, celery, sugar, cayenne, mayonnaise, Parmesan, and a pinch each of salt and black pepper to the food processor. Pulse until smooth. With the machine running, add the oil in a thin stream and process until emulsified. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
