1-Start: Start by washing and drying 1 pound of fresh okra thoroughly to remove any dirt. Trim the stem tips without cutting them off completely, then make a lengthwise slit from the base to near the tip. Use a small tool to scoop out most of the seeds, creating a pocket for the cheese.

2-Next: Cut 6 ounces of pepper jack cheese into large matchsticks and stuff each okra pod firmly. This step ensures the cheese melts inside during frying for a gooey surprise.

3-Set up four bowls for breading: Bowl 1 with 1 cup flour mixed with 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; Bowl 2 with the remaining 1 cup flour combined with 1 cup cornmeal; Bowl 3 with 1 cup buttermilk; Bowl 4 with 4 large eggs, beaten.

4-Dip: Dip each stuffed okra, holding by the stem, into the buttermilk first, then into the flour mixture in Bowl 1, followed by the egg in Bowl 4, and finally into the cornmeal-flour mixture in Bowl 2. Set the breaded okra aside on a plate.

5-Heat: Heat 3 to 6 cups of vegetable oil in a deep fryer or saucepan to 365°F, making sure it doesn’t fill the pot more than halfway. Fry the okra in batches for 1.5 to 2.5 minutes until golden brown, then remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. For internal variety, you might enjoy a similar stuffed dish like the roasted red pepper spinach stuffed chicken recipe for a healthier twist.