Okay, I’m a little behind on blogging because I made these on Labor Day and am just getting to writing about them.  But they are worth the wait.  First, grilled okra – now I know what you’re saying, “Okra is slimy!”  Last summer I got a big bag of okra in my CSA box and had no idea what to do with it; I, too, was concerned about the dreaded slime.  After doing some research on the net, I found that if you cut the okra in half – not all the way in half, just up to the stem part – then drizzle with olive oil and kosher salt, and grill until charred a bit, you have some great tasting okra that is not slimy.  It really is so good, and every single person who I make it for, loves it.  I saw some okra at the farmers market the other day, so go out and get some and give it a try!

My friend Jess brought over some spicy potato corn cakes from Whole Foods, 2 Labor Days ago.  Two years later I am still obsessing over them – yes, I realize I have issues.  Anyway, after never finding them again at WF, I decided to make my own.  I baked a bunch of potatoes and let them cool and then peeled and diced them.  I also cut the corn off a few cobs and sautéed the kernels in a pan.  I mixed up some diced potatoes, corn, chopped scallions, chopped jalapeno, kosher salt and an egg to bind it together.  Then I carefully made patties and pan-fried them in some canola oil.  Yum!  The combination of potatoes, corn, and a little bit of heat was so damn good!