Italian Deep Fried Cauliflower Food

GRANDMA NICKIE'S DEEP FRIED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Heat frying oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Toss cauliflower florets with salt in a bowl. Stir egg and vegetable oil together in a bowl; whisk flour and milk into egg mixture until batter is smooth. Working in batches, drop several pieces of cauliflower into batter and stir to coat.
• Working in batches, fry battered cauliflower pieces in preheated oil until they rise to the top of the oil and float, 2 to 4 minutes. Carefully turn pieces over and continue frying until golden brown, about 2 minutes more.

CHICKEN-FRIED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• For the gravy: Melt the butter, in a medium saucepan, over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour, and cook, whisking, until the flour is smooth and a deep golden brown, about 7 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk and simmer until the mixture thickens, whisking to remove any lumps, 4 to 6 minutes. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Remove from the heat, cover to keep warm. Reheat before serving, adding water by the tablespoon to thin it, as desired. Stir in the chives right before serving.
• For the cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Trim the base of the core from the cauliflower and then cut the head into 1-inch-thick slices. Cut any florets that fall off into 1-inch pieces. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper over both sides of each cauliflower slice. Set aside.
• Whisk together the flour, white pepper, baking powder and 2 teaspoons salt in a shallow bowl. Pour in 3 tablespoons of the milk and use your fingers to work it in, making a shaggy flour mixture. Whisk together the eggs and the remaining milk in another shallow bowl. One at a time, dredge each cauliflower steak, and the 1-inch pieces, in the flour mixture, dip in the egg mixture, and then return to the flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat. Transfer the breaded steaks to a rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Set another rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Heat about 1-inch of oil in a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven over high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Fry the steaks, one at a time, with some of the smaller pieces until golden brown, turning once, about 5 minutes (return the oil to 350 degrees F between each steak). Transfer the finished cauliflower steaks to the rack on the baking sheet, season lightly with salt and keep warm in the oven while you continue frying the remaining cauliflower in batches.
• Serve hot with the warm gravy.

FRIED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Place cauliflower into a pan of lightly salted boiling water. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat, drain and cool.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk with a fork. Place cracker crumbs in a shallow dish. Dip cauliflower in the egg mixture then roll in cracker crumbs.
• Fry coated cauliflower in the hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

BATTER DIPPED DEEP FRIED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat fryer oil to 375.
• Place the beaten eggs, milk and salt in a shallow bowl (or a large baggie).
• In a separate shallow bowl (or another large baggie), mix together flour, cheese, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, paprika, cayenne, and pepper.
• Place flowerets into egg mixture and toss (or shake baggie) to coat well.
• Remove and place into flour mixture and toss (or shake baggie) to coat well.
• Fry in batches for 4 - 6 minutes or until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels and lightly salt.
• *Serve w/ dipping sauces such as marinara, ranch or blue cheese.

CAULIFLOWER TEMPURA

Steps:

• Cook the cauliflower in boiling water for 2 mins. Tip into a colander, rinse under the cold tap, drain well and set aside.
• Put the flour in a large bowl with a pinch of salt. Whisk the egg yolks and 175ml iced water together, then whisk into the flour with the oil to make a smooth batter. In a separate, clean bowl whisk the egg whites until stiff, then fold into the batter.
• Heat the oil in a deep fryer or large wok to 190C. Coat some of the cauliflower in the batter then use a slotted spoon to carefully lift into the hot oil. Deep-fry the cauliflower for 2-3 mins until golden and puffy. Drain on kitchen towel and continue with the rest in batches. Sprinkle the cauliflower with salt and serve with a bowl of aïoli or mayonnaise.

CAULIFLOWER FRITTERS

Steps:

• Process cauliflower in a food processor finely minced; transfer to a large bowl.
• Stir flour, eggs, baking powder, and Italian dressing mix into cauliflower.
• Heat enough olive oil to cover the bottom of a frying pan over medium heat.
• Drop heaping tablespoons of cauliflower mixture into the hot oil; fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.

DEEP FRIED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• wash and cut caulilflower into flowerettes and set aside.
• combine bisquick (or Pan cake mix) with water in small bowl.
• Add caulilflower to batter and evenly coat.
• Add to oil at 350 degrees.
• Cook unitil golden brown.
• Serve with ranch dressing as dip.