occupied
Diamond Member
- Nov 8, 2011
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The art of making anything a delicious fatty golden brown is not that hard, in fact it is almost too easy, the key is in preparation.
The choice of breading type depends on the food being cooked, there are three types I use. Chicken and other meats use self rising four, seafood and vegetables get corn flour I add rice flour to either to make it extra crispy. I do not use corn meal as I find it too coarse.
Start with the realization that it is going to be a mess, if you occupy yourself with cleaning it takes your attention away from a potentially dangerous amount of hot oil.
Ok, so take your food and put it in a large bowl, add a couple of beaten eggs and enough buttermilk to get it all wet and set it aside.
In another large bowl put plenty of the flour of your choice, salt, black pepper, and a spice mix that is variously called "soul seasoning" or "creole seasoning".
Dump HALF of the flour mix into the food/egg/buttermilk mixture and gently mix to form a batter evenly coating the food. Individually take pieces out of the batter and put it into the remaining dry flour, coat it completely and put it on a plate for a while to absorb the liquid from the batter.
If you must clean up do it now because it is time to heat the oil. I use a 2/1 mixture of corn oil and solid vegetable shortening. IMPORTANT! I use a deep sauce pan on the back burner with the handle turned away from me, I also watch it all the time that the heat is on I cannot overstress the importance of these safety tips. Slowly heat the oil on medium high, do not allow it to get too hot, if it starts to smoke even a little turn off the heat and allow it to cool some. When you are ready turn up the heat to high and use tongs to gently place the food into the oil to avoid splashing. when the bubbling subsides some turn the heat back down to medium high and cook until the food looks ALMOST done, gently remove it from the oil and put it on a plate covered with paper towels, it will continue to cook after it is removed from the oil so it is imperative that the food be allowed to sit for at least 5 minutes before serving. Do not forget to turn off the burner.
Enjoy.
The choice of breading type depends on the food being cooked, there are three types I use. Chicken and other meats use self rising four, seafood and vegetables get corn flour I add rice flour to either to make it extra crispy. I do not use corn meal as I find it too coarse.
Start with the realization that it is going to be a mess, if you occupy yourself with cleaning it takes your attention away from a potentially dangerous amount of hot oil.
Ok, so take your food and put it in a large bowl, add a couple of beaten eggs and enough buttermilk to get it all wet and set it aside.
In another large bowl put plenty of the flour of your choice, salt, black pepper, and a spice mix that is variously called "soul seasoning" or "creole seasoning".
Dump HALF of the flour mix into the food/egg/buttermilk mixture and gently mix to form a batter evenly coating the food. Individually take pieces out of the batter and put it into the remaining dry flour, coat it completely and put it on a plate for a while to absorb the liquid from the batter.
If you must clean up do it now because it is time to heat the oil. I use a 2/1 mixture of corn oil and solid vegetable shortening. IMPORTANT! I use a deep sauce pan on the back burner with the handle turned away from me, I also watch it all the time that the heat is on I cannot overstress the importance of these safety tips. Slowly heat the oil on medium high, do not allow it to get too hot, if it starts to smoke even a little turn off the heat and allow it to cool some. When you are ready turn up the heat to high and use tongs to gently place the food into the oil to avoid splashing. when the bubbling subsides some turn the heat back down to medium high and cook until the food looks ALMOST done, gently remove it from the oil and put it on a plate covered with paper towels, it will continue to cook after it is removed from the oil so it is imperative that the food be allowed to sit for at least 5 minutes before serving. Do not forget to turn off the burner.
Enjoy.