Austinist: Austinist Interviews: Superstar Food Blogger Julie Powell

jooley ann

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:54:33 -0600

I think several of Powell's picks have more to do w/ being a displaced Texan than what's *best* in Austin. Even lived somewheres else? Believe me, ya get homesick for the strangest things. She probably misses the unique-ness that is Texadelphia -- I'm betting they don't put jalapenos on their cheesesteaks up there on the East Coast. And fried okra is a southern treat that's doubtless seldom served in NYC eateries.

ol'pappy

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:40:58 -0600

Oh wow! That was a good Data there, sam.

sam

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:22:49 -0600

Haha, O-P-P. That whole entry makes me think of Data on ST:TNG being all, "Captain, I don't understand why certain okra is perceptibly different to some humans based upon the contextual nature of the place where it has been prepared."

ol'pappy

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:13:13 -0600

I meant to say, buttermilk it or toss it in some cornmeal and flour since I'm assuming that's what the cook on #2 did. Anyway - fried okra's a simple dish. I don't see how anyone would miss it when it's so easily made.

ol'pappy

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:11:46 -0600

I guess that's true. But fried okra is so simple, I can't imagine someone craving it and going nuts for it when you can just throw some cornmeal on some sliced okra and come up with this: http://www.ourfamilycookbook.com/Photos/food/FriedOkra.JPG like my mom makes. Or dip it in some buttermilk first and come up with this: http://z.about.com/d/southernfood/1/0/d/T/friedokraa1.jpg like most Southern Kitchen places cook it. Or go to the H.E.B. and buy a bag to deep fry like this: http://www.pigtrip.net/photos/Cookhouse-okra.jpg which is what I'm guessing Pok-E-Joe's fried okra looks like since that's what you get when you order fried okra just about anywhere from Luby's to Threadgill's.

keb

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:57:23 -0600

sammy, your posts always make me hungry. even after lunch!

Aaaron

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:49:33 -0600

I disagree. Some fried okra is crap and some is spectacular. Spectacular is far and few between, most bread it way too much. I wouldn't put PeJ's in the must have category, I'll have to try it again next time just to make sure. Though they tore down the best of the chain, so maybe not. :-(

ol'pappy

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:14:44 -0600

Oh yeah - typo in the last sentence. "Here" for "hear".

ol'pappy

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:13:16 -0600

Yeah. I wonder what Texadelphia she's been going to because I've never had anything from there I liked. And Pok-E-Joe's too. I've never had their fried okra but I've also never had fried okra that make me piss myself. Fried okra is fried okra, lady.

matthew Mckinley

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:23:49 -0600

i work at texadelphia and while i do agree we have some good food i find it odd that a culinary sort would label it an "absolute must".

Tim

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:29:32 -0600

Mmm... I need some of that PokEJoe's okra...

adamr

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:26:30 -0600

Julie Powell is awesome. Good one Sammy!

jooley ann

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:21:14 -0600

Great interview, Sammy! I loved The Julie/Julia Project. It's a blast. Can't wait 'til Julie Powell puts out a new book!!