Fried Bread Crumbs Recipes

CHICKEN FRIED WITH BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Crack the eggs into a bowl and lightly beat with a fork. Put the flour in another bowl, and add the salt and pepper. In the third bowl, put the bread crumbs.
• Dip a piece of chicken in the flour, covering both sides. Gently shake off any excess. Dip the floured chicken in the egg and let the extra drip off. Then lay it in the bread crumbs, and scoop some over to cover the top. Press down gently all over, then lift from the bowl and set on a plate. Do that for all the chicken.
• Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat, and when the white foam floats to the top, use a spoon to skim it off. Then put in the chicken and cook for about 7 minutes on each side, or until the crumbs are nicely browned. (Fish will take less time.) Use a spatula to turn the chicken over, and cook 5 more minutes or so. Serve with lemon wedges.

HERBY FRIED SHALLOT AND BREAD CRUMB CRUNCH

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse the bread until no pieces larger than a pea remain. Set aside.
• Line 2 baking sheets with paper towels and set a fine-mesh strainer over a medium saucepan. Set aside.
• Combine shallots and oil in a second medium saucepan or a wok, and place over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until shallots begin to bubble, about 2 minutes, then reduce heat to medium-low. With the shallots constantly bubbling - the constant bubble is key - continue frying. Stir regularly to ensure even cooking, until shallots turn pale golden brown, 24 to 28 minutes longer.
• Quickly and carefully pour the shallots and the oil into the prepared strainer, draining the oil into the first saucepan. (The shallots will continue to carry over to a deep golden brown as they cool and crisp up.) Carefully spread out the shallots to cool onto one of the prepared trays and season lightly with salt. Set aside.
• Reset the strainer over the now-empty pot and set aside. Place the saucepan with the strained oil over medium-high heat, and add a sage leaf to test the temperature. (Alternatively, use a thermometer to check that the oil is at 360 degrees.) When it sizzles, add the rest of the sage and the rosemary, and stir with a slotted spoon or spider. As soon as the bubbles subside, after 20 to 30 seconds, remove the herbs from the oil and spread them out onto the second baking sheet.
• Add the bread crumbs to the oil and stir. Cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes, then quickly and carefully pour the bread crumbs and oil into the prepared strainer. Spread bread crumbs on the baking sheet beside the rosemary and sage. Season herbs and bread crumbs lightly with salt. Set aside and allow to cool.
• To assemble, in a large bowl, toss together shallots, bread crumbs, crumbled fried herbs, parsley and thyme, and 3/4 teaspoon flaky salt. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• There is a real advantage to making bread crumbs instead of using pre-packaged ones, with their unpleasant preserved taste. Full tasting bread, like a sourdough or herbed bread makes for delicious crumbs. When made from fresh bread the crumbs absorb less fat or liquid than a dry crumb, making them ideal for topping off gratins, or breading meat and fish when frying. Dry crumbs are better suited for stuffings since they absorb moisture just like a sponge. Most breads can be turned into bread crumbs by simply grinding them in a food processor. Trimming crusts makes for a more delicate crumb and for very fine crumbs, strain them through a fine-mesh sieve. Store bread crumbs in a tightly sealed plastic bag in the freezer.

BREADED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, whisk eggs with teaspoon salt; let stand 5 minutes. In another shallow dish, season flour with 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a third shallow dish, season breadcrumbs with 1 teaspoon salt.
• In a large cast-iron skillet or other heavy deep skillet, heat oil over medium. Meanwhile, pat chicken dry with paper towels. Coat in flour, shaking off excess, then dip in egg (letting excess drip off). Dredge in breadcrumbs, turning twice and patting to adhere.
• Increase heat to medium-high. Working in batches, add chicken to skillet; cook, gently shaking skillet occasionally, until chicken is browned, about 4 minutes. Turn with tongs; cook until browned and opaque throughout, 2 to 3 minutes more (if browning too quickly, lower heat). Between batches, skim off brown crumbs from oil with a slotted spoon. Drain chicken on paper towels; season with salt.

LIGHT AND CRISPY FRIED HALIBUT

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Whisk eggs, milk, and flour together in a shallow bowl. Stir panko bread crumbs and seasoned bread crumbs together in another bowl.
• Gently dip halibut squares into egg mixture, the press gently into bread crumbs mixture to generously coat completely. Place breaded halibut in a single layer on a plate while breading the rest.
• Cook halibut in preheated oil until golden brown and crisp on the outside, 4 to 6 minutes.

FRIED BUTTERED NOODLES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
• Melt butter in a skillet or large pot over low heat. Add bread crumbs and stir until coated in butter. Mix noodles into bread crumbs mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a crust forms on the bottom, about 30 minutes; season with salt.

PAN-FRIED BREADED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Lay pork chops on a baking sheet, and season well on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Combine eggs and milk in a low, flat bowl. Season with salt, pepper and the small pinch of cayenne.
• Sprinkle flour generously over the chops on both sides, then shake off excess.
• Submerge the floured chops in the egg mixture, and turn them over several times to coat well. Leave chops in egg mixture for 5 minutes.
• Use your left hand to remove a chop from the batter and drain off excess liquid. Place chop on a baking sheet and, with your right hand, heavily sprinkle with bread crumbs on both sides. Repeat with remaining chops.
• Sprinkle each chop again with crumbs, patting with your hand to make sure crumbs adhere and coat well. Refrigerate, uncovered, until ready to fry.
• Set a wide cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add clarified butter to a depth of 1/2 inch. When butter is hot, lay in the chops without crowding, and let them fry very gently, about 4 to 5 minutes per side, until beautifully golden brown. (Turn down heat if they seem to be browning too fast.) If your pan is small, cook in 2 batches and keep finished chops warm in a 250-degree oven.
• Blot cooked chops on paper towels. Transfer to a warm platter or individual plates. Serve with lemon wedges.