Fried Breaded Veggies Recipes

DEEP FRIED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• 1. Pictured is a dutch oven very similar to mine that I use for frying. It's my deep fryer and used for nothing else. I use it on the stove and on a propane burner outdoors. If you do a lot of deep frying like chicken, fish, shrimp or anything else in larger amounts you really need to get one. If you would like information on how to season it properly PM me. This is the same process I will refer to for deep frying anything. Chicken tenders, chicken, breaded steak, breaded pork loin, shrimp, fish and anything else you would like to deep fry. Always when frying use the method of when it floats it's done. This holds true for most anything you fry.
• 2. Place a deep cast iron skillet, dutch oven, heavy aluminum fry pot or even a Wok on the stove on med/high heat and bring oil to 325-350 degrees. Use the correct thermometer for this. I use one that hangs on the side of my favorite frying pot, a cast iron dutch oven. It's deep and the right size for frying most anything. Accept a whole turkey but that's a different recipe :) Watch the temp on your oil as you prepare the rest of the things you'll need and make sure it doesn't get too hot. If oil is to hot for too long the oil will burn and have to be thrown away. If you take care of this oil in a deep fryer it can be reused many times before changing. Always strain out any particles from the oil while it's still warm. This makes the oil easier to strain. Then allow to cool. If covered when cool, your fryer and oil will be ready for the next time you deep fry something. One other note is, you can fry anything in this. Fish, shrimp, chicken etc once fish is used anything else you fry after will have a fishy flavor.
• 3. While the oil is getting to temperature: In a large bowl mix eggs and any seasoning combination that you like, be generous with the seasoning or your finished product will be bland. It sometimes helps to add a touch of milk to the mix making an egg wash
• 4. In another large bowl put in plenty of flour, cornmeal, tempura, panko or any mix of a flour type ingredient. Also add plenty of your prefered seasoning mix well. Note: If you don't add enough seasoning to your flour as well as the egg wash your finished product will be very bland. Use more seasoning than your think you will need. When others have watched me do this for anything I've prepared for frying they're shocked to see how much I add to the item being fried, egg wash and the flour. So be generous with your seasoning.
• 5. Prepare the sliced veggies by washing and draining them, make sure you pat dry.
• 6. Now take your dry veggies and dredge them through the flour or whatever it is you are using to get them dusty. Next shake them over the flour bowl and drop them in the egg wash.
• 7. Take them out of the egg wash and allow them to drip access back into the egg wash bowl then put in them back into the flour type mix. Now using your fingers dig down into the bottom of the bowl and continue to blend so they are covered well.
• 8. Now take the dredged veggies out and shake over the flour bowl to remove the access.
• 9. You can also chop up any of the veggies and mix with any cheese of your liking and make into balls or patties. Make sure the cheese is shredded so it mixes well then add some egg so it sticks together along with your favorite seasoning. Then run through the dusting, egg wash process and fry.
• 10. OR: Mix egg and a touch of milk into your flour type mix along with seasoning and make a batter. How much you need depends on how many things you intend to deep fry. If you go this route, take the dry veggies and drop into the mix and blend well so everything gets covered. Bring your bowl with you so you're close to the fryer and after dripping off excess batter a bit drop into the fryer. This is a messy operation and will leave more residue in your fryer. But the difference is considerable to the dredge and dip method. Some people prefer one over the other. OR: You can even deep fry any of the veggies without doing either process. OH the possibilities!!!!
• 11. Make sure your oil is at temperature of 325 - 350 degrees before you carefully drop them into the hot oil. With a large spoon or skimmer made for deep frying, stir the contents of the fryer so they don't stick together. Fry for about 3 minutes or until floating. Do not overcook them. They are veggies and you don't want them mushy, only cooked and browned.
• 12. Remove from the oil and place on a plate or platter that has a good quality paper towel used to drain and absorb the oil. Continue to repeat process until everything is fried. You can do multiple different veggies at the same time, just do them in the same batch process so you can keep them separate.
• 13. Once drained of excess oil, place on a platter with your favorite dip

FRIED BREADED VEGGIES

Steps:

• In a large, shallow bowl (or in a paper bag, if you prefer that method of breading), combine flour, cornmeal, 1 Tsp garlic, 1/2 Tsp Italian seasoning, basil, 1/2 Tsp Creole seasoning, 1 Tsp salt, 1/2 Tsp pepper, and optional cayenne pepper, if using.
• In a smaller shallow bowl, combine eggs and remaining seasonings.
• To prepare veggies, wash, drain, and pat everything dry.
• If fixing green tomatoes, press them between pieces of paper towel to help drain their juice, and allow to drain for 10-15 minutes, turning half way through.
• If preparing okra, cut off ends and slice into about 3/4" long pieces.
• Place in a small bowl, cover completely with buttermilk, and stir until well coated.
• Allow to soak for at least 15 minutes before draining, stirring once.
• The drained buttermilk can then be used for pre-coating the remaining veggies; it will not affect their flavor, and I think the okra slime helps make everything adhere.
• I like everything else sliced about 3/8" thick, lengthwise or crosswise, as desired, size depending on whether they are being pan fried or deep fried.
• The squash and eggplant can also be cut in 1/2"x1/2"x3-4" batons if desired.
• I do not salt and drain my eggplant; I have found that it does nothing to decrease bitterness and only helps to make them come out soggy.
• If you want to really freak some people out, cut a couple real good, crisp dill pickles in 1/2" thick crosswise slices, pat them real dry, and bread and cook them along with the other veggies.
• Toss all veggies, except already soaked okra, with buttermilk to coat, and allow to drain in a colander while you are doing the breading.
• Set out egg wash and breading, and cover a tray or baking sheet that will fit in your fridge with wax paper.
• Shake excess buttermilk off of a handful of veggies, and coat lightly with breading, then coat with egg wash, letting excess drain off, and return to breading, turning and pressing to help it adhere.
• Transfer veggies to the tray as they are coated, and repeat with remaining veggies.
• I usually keep them separated by type or size.
• If timing permits, sprinkle with some of the remaining breading, especially on damp looking spots, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help make breading adhere.
• If desired, sift any remaining breading, and store in the fridge or refrigerator for next time.
• If timing does not permit, start frying as soon as the oil is hot.
• Veggies can be deep fried or pan fried; the choice is yours; the only thing to remember is that the squash and eggplant are both like sponges, especially if your oil is not hot enough.
• I prefer to pan fry mine in about 1/4" or less of oil (measured before adding veggies), adding more between batches as needed.
• I usually use 2-3 large skillets for frying, since these are best as fresh out of the pan as possible.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels for draining the cooked veggies, and place in a preheated 200-225 degF oven, add oil to skillet (s), and heat to about 375 degF (shimmering and almost smoking) over medium heat.
• Add breaded veggies to oil, and fry on first side for about 2 minutes, without disturbing except to gently shake skillet to ensure they are not sticking.
• When light golden brown, turn veggies, and repeat for the second side.
• It helps to have an assistant during this phase, if you have one with whom you can work.
• Transfer veggies to the lined baking sheet as they finish cooking to a light golden brown, and if desired, lightly salt them immediately after they come out of the oil.
• Serve immediately, of keep them warm while you fry the next batch (es).
• The browned breading left from the first batch CAN be left in the skillet while cooking a second batch without affecting flavor or looks, but if you are a purist, or if you are doing more than 2 batches, before starting to cook, place a fine strainer over a CLEAN, DRY metal can, and strain and reuse the oil, wiping out skillet (s) after each batch.
• You can also just dump the oil, carefully wipe out the skillet, and start each batch with fresh oil, but make sure that oil had heated to 375 degF (shimmering and almost smoking) before adding the next batch of veggies.
• If deep frying, heat oil to 375 degF as measured on a frying thermometer, and drop 6-8 pieces into the hot oil, less if this crowds them.
• Let cook undisturbed for at least 30-40 seconds to keep from tearing of crust.
• Gently turn, and keep turning about once a minute, until golden brown on all sides.
• Drain, season, and keep warm as noted above.
• Let oil reheat to 375OF before frying next batch.
• A neat trick to use if your deep fryer has a basket is to NOT put the veggies in the basket; put them directly in the oil, and after they have fried for 30-40 seconds, gently place the basket on top of them to hold them submerged-- no turning needed.
• Serve hot, just plain, or with ketchup, tartar sauce, lemon wedges, whatever sounds good to you.
• It you have leftovers, allow them to COOL COMPLETELY before bagging and storing.
• I prefer to let them cool on a wire rack or laying up against one another so air can circulate to the bottom side to prevent sogginess.
• To reheat, place on a perforated pan or on a wire rack over a baking sheet, and reheat in a preheated 300 degF for 10-15 minutes, or until hot and crisp.

BEER BATTERED FRIED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cup flour and beer with a wooden spoon; let stand for at least 3 hours at room temperature.
• Mix eggs and milk in a small bowl. In a separate bowl mix together 1/2 cup flour and salt and pepper.
• Heat oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Dip each vegetable in the egg and milk mixture. Next dip the vegetable into the flour and seasoning mixture, finally dip the vegetable in the beer and flour mixture. Place the vegetables into the oil and fry until golden brown,

PANKO-FRIED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Put at least 2 inches oil in a large, deep pot over medium-high heat; bring to 350 degrees (or use an electric deep-fryer). Combine the flour with 2 cups cold water; the mixture should have the consistency of thin pancake batter.
• Powder the panko by forcing it through a strainer with a spatula or pulverizing it in a blender or food processor. Dredge the vegetables first in flour, then in the tempura batter and finally in the powdered panko. Fry the vegetables in the hot oil, working in batches and turning each piece as necessary, until crisp and brown all over, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.