Tomato + Okra Corn Cakes with Roasted Garlic Aïoli

Tomato + Okra Corn Cakes with Roasted Garlic Aïoli

I’m squeezing these last summer recipes in while I still can! Sound like a plan? There has been a definite change in the weather this past week. And I’ve noticed that during my morning walks if I squint just so I can begin to see a golden haze swirling around the trees. Fall is on its way for sure and brings with it a newfound friskiness and energy. Our house projects are picking back up again after a little summer break. I’ve been hosting a couple small dinner get-togethers (with all the windows and doors open!). Evening walks now last a whole hour instead of the sticky and humid 15 minutes. It’s without a doubt my favorite time of year. So these fritters are pretty flexible – feel free to use any and all late summer veggies that you have laying around (corn and squash or eggplant and mushrooms, all good here!) oh and don’t forget all those herbs going to seed in your pots and beds! A co-worker grew this amazing garlic and brought some in for me to try. So sweet and flavorful, now I just want the homegrown stuff! The aioli recipes calls for 6 roasted cloves but after tasting I added 3 more raw ones – yeah, I’m a garlic fiend, no vampires here!

Tomato + Okra Corn Cakes with Roasted Garlic Aïoli Tomato + Okra Corn Cakes with Roasted Garlic Aïoli Tomato + Okra Corn Cakes with Roasted Garlic Aïoli Tomato + Okra Corn Cakes with Roasted Garlic Aïoli
  • Step 1

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    Peel 6 or so cloves of garlic. Pour a bit of olive oil into a pan set on medium heat. Roast the garlic until light brown and fragrant. Carful to not let it get too dark. Scoop the garlic cloves out, keeping the garlic oil in the pan. Mix all the ingredients together in your food processor until smooth.

  • Step 2

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    Chop up all the veggies. I sprinkled the cut tomatoes with salt and let them drain a bit while I prepped the other ingredients. After all veggies have been chopped, whisk to combine the dry ingredients (flours, salt, baking powder) in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients (veggies and eggs).

     

  • Step 3

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    Lightly mix and fold until you have achieved a super thick pancake batter consistency. If the mixture is too wet add a bit more flour, if it’s too dry and a little water.

     

Tomato + Okra Corn Cakes with Roasted Garlic Aïoli Tomato + Okra Corn Cakes with Roasted Garlic Aïoli Tomato + Okra Corn Cakes with Roasted Garlic Aïoli

 

Ingredients for the Roasted Garlic Aioli 

6 cloves roasted garlic

1/3 cup of your favorite mayonnaise

juice of half a lemon

fresh ground pepper

pinch of cayenne

a bit olive oil for roasting

 

Directions
Peel 6 or so cloves of garlic. Pour a bit of olive oil into a pan set on medium heat. Roast the garlic until light brown and fragrant. Carful to not let it get too dark. Scoop the garlic cloves out, keeping the garlic oil in the pan. Mix all the ingredients together in your food processor until smooth. Place in a jar with a lid for latter.

 

Ingredients for the Fritter Cakes

1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes

1 cup okra

4 scallions

1 small bunch of fresh parsley

1 small bunch of fresh dill

2 eggs

1/2 cup corn flour

1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten free flour)

1.5 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

a bit of neutral high heat oil for frying + the garlic oil above

 

 

Directions

Chop up all the veggies. I sprinkled the cut tomatoes with salt and let them drain a bit while I prepped the other ingredients. After all veggies have been chopped, whisk to combine the dry ingredients (flours, salt, baking powder) in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients (veggies and eggs). Lightly mix and fold until you have achieved a super thick pancake batter consistency. If the mixture is too wet add a bit more flour, if it’s too dry and a little water. Heat the same pan you used for roasting the garlic, there should be a bit of the flavorful garlic oil still in the pan, add a bit more neutral high heat oil and heat your pan to medium/high heat. Using your clean hands form little patties and place them into the hot pan. Cooking about 2 to 4 minutes per side (depending on how thick you made them). They are done when cooked through and beginning to brown. I like to serve these fritters onto of a pile of greens.

 

Notes
I ate these fritters with a pile of greens.

Alternatively, you could make roasted garlic dressing by thinning the aioli out with some white balsamic vinegar until you’ve reached your desired consistency. I did this and it was delicious!

More fritter fun here and here.

  • http://warmvanillasugar.com/ Warm Vanilla Sugar

    I definitely need more okra in my life! These little fritters look incredible!

  • http://www.primaverakitchen.com Olivia Ribas

    Friend, I totally loove Okra. In Brazil, this is so so so popular and we have lots of Brazilian recipes with this awesome veggie. I’ve never made okra corn cakes before, but you’ve inspired me to try it. As usually your pictures are stunning, my dear. Have an awesome Sunday ;-)

  • http://www.faring-well.com Jessie Snyder | Faring Well

    I love these Grace! Can you believe I’ve never had okra? I don’t think I’ve ever even seen it at the market in all the places I’ve lived! But it looks so pretty in these and I’m itching to give it a try. I love your words on this “hint” of fall slowly emerging this week – I’ve been noticing it in the early mornings too. A little crisper a little longer. Plus we have aspen trees here around us and they are starting to turn. Just magical. Hope you are enjoying your last summer harvests in the cooler weather :) and yay for those longer evening walks <3