Deep Fried Food

DEEP FRIED RIBS

Steps:

• Set smoker at 350 degrees F.
• Wash each rack under water. Pat dry. Place racks on a wood-burning smoker. A hickory wood fire is best. Smoke ribs for 30 minutes. Remove ribs from smoker and rub each side with the rib rub. Return the ribs to smoker and smoke at 350 degrees F for about 1 hour 30 minutes. Remove ribs and cool completely. When cool, cut ribs into individual sections. Dip each rib into pre-wash solution then the breading mixture, lightly dredging. Shake off the excess then dip into wash again and then the breading mixture.
• Place ribs into a 350-degree F deep fryer and cook for 5 minutes or until golden brown. You will have to do multiple batches. Serve with your favorite barbecue sauce for dipping.

DEEP FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Place the flour, egg, and bread crumbs each in 3 small bowls. Add the 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the egg and whisk to combine. Season the bread crumbs with the tablespoon of Essence and stir with a fork or your hands to thoroughly combine.
• Dredge each piece of eggplant in the flour, coating thoroughly and then shaking to remove any excess flour. Coat each piece with the egg, then dredge in the bread crumb mixture, pressing to make the bread crumbs adhere. Transfer the eggplant pieces to a rack or to paper towels to let them dry slightly before frying.
• In a deep, heavy skillet heat 1/2-inch of vegetable oil to 375 degrees F. Fry the eggplant pieces, in batches if necessary, for about 1 minute on each side, or until golden brown. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle lightly with salt before serving. Serve with marinara sauce, or as desired.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

DEEP-FRIED BEEF CHIMICHANGAS WITH GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Slice each avocado in half lengthwise, pop out seed and slip off the skin. Smash the avocado in a bowl and add onion, chiles, cilantro, lime juice, tomatoes, and garlic and mix well. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and let sit in refrigerator for a couple of hours to allow flavors to combine.
• Lay out tortillas and sprinkle about 1/8 cup cheese on each. Begin heating vegetable oil to 350 degrees F in deep-fryer.
• In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat and saute onion until translucent. To this pan, add ground beef, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, celery salt, and salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Divide meat mixture into equal amounts in the pan. Then using a slotted spoon to leave excess liquid behind, transfer meat mixture to the center of each tortilla and fold the tortilla into a closed packet and secure using a wooden skewer or round toothpicks. Deep fry chimichangas until golden brown. (Alternatively, you can skip the deep frying step altogether by arranging the chimichanga packets on a baking sheet and bake until cheese melts and tortillas begin to firm up, about 5 to 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degrees F oven.) Remove skewers/toothpicks before serving.

DEEP FRIED TURKEY

Steps:

• Thaw turkey completely. Then clean out cavity, rinse and pat dry. Season turkey with dry ingredients, to taste (for more flavor, season the night before you cook.)
• Heat oil in pot (allow enough room in pot for turkey to be placed, too much oil will cause overflow), bring oil to at least 375 degrees F. Placement of turkey will bring temperature down and you will want to keep temperature at 325 degrees F. while cooking. Cook turkey until golden brown, about 4 minutes per pound.

DEEP-FRIED TURKEY

Steps:

• Place the hot water, kosher salt and brown sugar into a 5-gallon upright drink cooler and stir until the salt and sugar dissolve completely. Add the ice and stir until the mixture is cool. Gently lower the turkey into the container. If necessary, weigh down the bird to ensure that it is fully immersed in the brine. Cover and set in a cool dry place for 8 to 16 hours.
• Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse and pat dry. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.
• Place the oil into a 28 to 30-quart pot and set over high heat on an outside propane burner with a sturdy structure. Bring the temperature of the oil to 250 degrees F. Once the temperature has reached 250, slowly lower the bird into the oil and bring the temperature to 350 degrees F. Once it has reached 350, lower the heat in order to maintain 350 degrees F. After 35 minutes, check the temperature of the turkey using a probe thermometer. Once the breast reaches 151 degrees F, gently remove from the oil and allow to rest for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to carving. The bird will reach an internal temperature of 161 degrees F due to carry over cooking. Carve as desired.