CRISPY GREEN BEAN FRIES
WITH WASABI CUCUMBER RANCH DIP |
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FOR THE WASABI CUCUMBER RANCH DIP: 1/2 cup bottled ranch dressing (Hidden Valley is best) 1/4 cup cucumbers, peeled, seeded, minced 1 tablespoon milk 1 1/2 teaspoons prepared horseradish 1 teaspoon cider vinegar 1 teaspoon wasabi powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 pinch cayenne pepper FOR THE GREEN BEANS: 1 egg, beaten 1 cup milk 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth 6 to 8 ounces fresh green beans 1 cup flour 1 cup plain breadcrumbs or seasoned dry bread crumbs 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder vegetable shortening or vegetable oil (for frying) TO PREPARE THE DIP: Combine dip ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Place in bowl; cover and chill till ready to use. Dip will thicken as it chills. TO PREPARE THE BEANS: Place beans in the broth. Bring to a boil and cook 15 minutes, then drain and place in cold water to stop cooking process. Mix beaten egg with milk in a shallow bowl. Measure 1 cup of flour into another shallow bowl. Combine bread crumbs, 3/4 teaspoons salt, black pepper, onion powder and garlic powder into a third bowl. Take a handful of beans out of the water and shake off excess liquid. Coat the beans with the flour, shaking to remove excess flour. Dip the beans, one at a time, into egg/milk mixture, then dip in breadcrumb mixture. Place the beans on a plate until all are coated. Heat the shortening or oil to 350 degrees F in a heavy skillet (or use deep fryer). Use enough to cover the beans, about 1 1/2 inches. Fry until golden brown, about 1 1/2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. TO SERVE: Place on a large platter and serve with the wasabi cucumber ranch dip. Hint of mine: I place the flour in a large zip type plastic bag, the milk and egg in a pie pan, and the bread crumb mixture in a zip type plastic bag. Saves time. I put in a handful at a time in the bags. I use peanut oil for deep frying. I use a deep fryer because it keeps the temperature at a constant 350 degrees. By using the plastic bags, it saves time rather than dip each bean in the flour and then in the milk/egg, then into the bread crumbs. I fried 2 lbs of green beans in less than 12 minutes. Make the dipping sauce at home don't buy Kraft's Wasabi Sauce. It tastes entirely different. Yuk! I found Wasabi paste at WalMart and you can get it at speciality stores too. It comes in powder too but I could not find it here. |
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