Beer Battered Squash Blossoms Food

BATTER FRIED SQUASH BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• Blend milk, egg, flour, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper with a fork; beat the batter until smooth.
• Place flattened squash blossoms in batter, stir gently; allow 10 minute soaking time.
• Heat oil in a cast iron skillet until hot; fry batter coated blossoms until golden; turn once, drain on paper towels, place on plate and garnish.

BATTER FRIED STUFFED SQUASH BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• Place ricotta cheese in a double layer of cheesecloth. Tie up ends, and hang over a bowl to drain. Place in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours, or overnight.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and pepper. Slowly add milk to the flour mixture, whisking constantly, until the batter has a slightly thickened and very smooth consistency; set aside.
• Remove ricotta from the cheesecloth, and discard the liquid. In another medium bowl, stir together drained ricotta, mozzarella, marjoram, and parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Gently open the flower petals and, using a small spoon, fill a blossom about 2/3 full with the ricotta mixture. Wrap the petals around the mixture to seal. Using your fingers, gently press the blossom to distribute filling evenly. Repeat, filling all the blossoms.
• In a small saucepan fitted with a deep-frying thermometer, heat olive oil over medium-high heat to 375 degrees. Place the stuffed blossoms in the reserved batter until completely coated. Lift out, and gently drag the blossom against the edge of the bowl to remove excess batter. Carefully slip as many blossoms into the hot oil as will comfortably fit without crowding. Fry the blossoms until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon, and transfer to several layers of paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt, and serve immediately.

BEER BATTERED SQUASH BLOSSOMS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND GARLIC

Steps:

• To make the filling:
• Combine garlic, olive oil, goat cheese and thyme in a small bowl. Mix until smooth, and season with salt and pepper.
• For the blossoms:
• In a bowl, whisk together beer and egg. Whisk in 1 cup of the flour and continue adding extra flour, 1 tablesppon at a time, until mixture has the consistency of thin pancake batter, Whisk in butter and season to taste with salt, pepper. Let rest 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a deep heavy pot fitted with with a deep-frying thermometer, heat 1 inch of oil to 375°. Stuff each blossom with a few tablespoons of the goat cheese mixture, and press petals closed.
• Working quickly, in small batches, dip filled blossoms into batter, coating each completely; and fry, turning once, for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Use slotted spoon to transfer blossoms onto paper towels to drain. Make sure the oil returns to 375° before adding each new batch of blossoms.
• Sprinkle fried blossoms with salt and serve immediately.

BEER-BATTER FRIED SQUASH BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• 1. Pour the beer in a medium bowl and let stand until flat, about 1 hour. 2. Place the flour in a small mesh strainer. Sieve the flour over the bowl of beer, whisking constantly to incorporate. When all the flour has been added, the batter will have the consistency of heavy cream. 3. Rinse the squash blossoms and inspect them for insects. Pull out the bitter green stamen. 4. Heat 1 1/2 inches of oil in a deep pot to a temperature of 375. 5. Working with three or four blossoms at a time, dip them into the batter and let the excess drip back into the bowl. Place into the hot oil and fry, turning once, until golden brown and crisp, about 3-4 minutes. 6. Use a slotted spoon to transfer blossoms to a platter lined with paper towels. Sprinkle generously with salt and serve immediately.

FRIED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat about 2" oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 350°. Combine flour and salt in a medium bowl, then whisk in beer until almost smooth (some small lumps are welcome-don't overwhisk or you'll deflate the batter). One by one, dredge the blossoms in batter, shaking off the excess; gently lay them in the oil, without crowding the pan. Cook, flipping once with a slotted spoon, until golden brown, 2-3 minutes total. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with sea salt and devour while hot.
• Variation #1:
• For an even lighter, crispier crust, fold 3 stiffly beaten egg whites into batter and proceed as above.
• Variataion #2:
• Stuffed blossoms are a favorite in Italy. To fill about 16, combine 1 cup ricotta, 1 tablespoon freshly chopped mint, and 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest in a bowl. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Using a spoon, fill each blossom with about 1 tablespoon ricotta mixture, then dip in batter and fry as above.

BEER-BATTERED YELLOW SQUASH

Steps:

• Wash and dry squash. Slice squash in 1/4 inch or less slices and spread on a platter. Lightly sprinkle salt over slices.
• In a large cast iron skillet add enough oil to make it about 1" from the bottom and use medium high heat. If you don't have a cast iron skillet -- however you fry will be fine. In a medium bowl add cornstarch, flour, onion powder. and stir with a fork. Slowly add beer and keep stirring. Stop pouring beer when you have the consistancy of cream.
• Pat squash dry (salting squash causes squash to sweat) Dip squash into batter and fry in oil. Put enough slices without touching, and turn after about 1-2 minute or until very light brown. Drain on paper towels and serve. I have soy sauce for dipping.