Put corn meal and Old Bay in an empty bread bag or similar. Add okra and shake. Let set a half hour or so and shake again.

When ready to prepare preheat a large skillet (cast iron is best) over medium-high to high heat depending on the power of your burner and size of the skillet.

Add oil, let it heat for a few seconds and dump in the entire contents of the bag. Quickly arrange okra to be cut side down. Fry about 3 minutes without disturbing. There should be a fair amount of smoke. Check one piece -- it should look burned but not charred. If not cook a little longer. Turn the okra but don't worry about arranging or if every one is truly turned. If a cast iron skillet turn off the heat otherwise reduce to low. Keep on the burner for at least another three minutes but you easily have another ten minutes to work on other things. If not a cast iron skillet move to your smallest burner on low or turn off altogether if it continues to smoke after three minutes or so.

Submitted by: Mike Thies