Fry Me to the Moon

My brother got me a DeLonghi Roto Fryer for Christmas.  I am excited and, yes, a little scared. Excited because what's better than fried...anything? Scared because what if I loved it so much I wanted to use it all the time? That is something I really do not need to do.

So this weekend, we're going to have a little Fry Party and everyone is going to bring something to huck into it. I stopped by the Korean market this morning because Koreans know from frying. I got special oil (which promises minimum absorption) labeled "crispy and crunchy," and some stuff to make tempura batter. I also picked up GIANT jalapeños to make jalapeño poppers and ingredients for fried wontons (Hawaiian-style), one of them being Spam (of course). I also have kabocha squash and asparagus to make the vegetable tempura. But beyond the usual tempura, french fries, and onion rings, I'm not sure what else to use it for.

Do you have a favorite deep fryer recipe? If so, lay it on me!

Comments

[ivymae]

Deep fried oreos. Mmmmm.
http://www.slashfood.com/2006/04/27/food-porn-deep-fried-oreos/

Watch out, I'm fatter just thinking about them.

[May]

karaage! I love fried food!!!!

marinate chicken thighs in soy suace, mirin, garlic and ginger and sake for at least 30 minutes. Then, sprinkle in misture of corn starch and flour then fry. yummy!

[sarahthegreat]

How do you make your tempura? I haven't found a recipe that I like. Do you use the stuff in the box or make it from scratch?

[Sandra]

That all sounds so good, but I'd probably gain 20 pounds just smelling it. :(

[kim]

Sweet potato fries. Corn nuggets. REAL hush puppies. Heavenly.

(And the last time we had a fry night, we proceeded to consume all three - it's so addictive!)

[porter]

Well you can't beat homemade fries and beer battered fish. I used to use mine to make old fashioned fried chicken (great for picnics...oh and chicken wings are amazing in the deep fryer.

[Lia]

Oh, I hope I get the invite once you got the frying down. Can't wait to hear about it!

[Kim S.]

Yummy... Pickles (parents are big Elvis fans), artichokes,okra, onions, mushrooms, dough (ah, fresh doughnuts).

[QSMama / Lea]

Homemade? Jalapeno? Poppers? That sounds divine.

I was going to suggest Oreos, but ivymae beat me to it. Definitely make funnel cakes, sprinkled with confectioner's sugar.

And when you make hush puppies, try mixing bits of cheddar and jalapenos in the batter. It's amazing. There's a restaurant in Chapel Hill (NC) that makes them. (Crooks Corner--also makes the best shrimp-and-grits on earth. Let me know if you'd like the recipe.)

Tempura sweet potatoes! Fresh onion rings! And if you're brave, you could try fried ice cream--green tea ice cream in tempura batter, served drizzled with chocolate sauce.

- Lea

[molly]

I've been thinking about what I should bring the past few days. Patti's fry daddy potatoes sound good.

[erin]

holy smokes! i have the same feelings about having our own fryer. we went to a friend's house a few years ago and they made us a few indian dishes (can't remember the names) that we delicious. my husband is always wanting to deep fry things. one of the more interesting things i have had deep fried was a twinkie. the "batter" was pancake mix. i shared it a few times and learned that you don't want to fry it too long or the "cream" inside disappears. and, uh, all the rest of the time i eat organic, non-fried foods. no, really! ;)

[happybell]

Milanesas! Beef that's really tender (also chicken and fish), "soak" them in beaten eggs with some milk and seasoning, then pass them through grated bread (you can dry the bread in the oven and then grate it) and then fry them.

Croquetas...yummy
For rice croquetas: take cooked rice and make "balls" with your hands as big or small as you wish(you can add jam to the rice, or put some cheese at the core of the ball), use the same procedure as with the milanesas (beaten eggas and breadcrumbs).
You can also use mashed potatoes to make them, beef -sauted with some peppers and onions- mixed with white sauce (not too liquid)...

[Quyen]

Chicken wings. so good. I like them nice and spicy.

[Angie in Texas]

fried twinkies and fried mars bars. trust me - these are *SO* good. (use pancake batter, dip and fry.)

but i am from texas, so fried chicken is always on the fryer menu. (that's why i don't own one.) =)

[Kelly R]

Cheese Curds! It's a midwestern thing...but I think you can find the curds at Trade Joe's now. Also good, pickles, twinkies and almond roca.