Spicy Cauliflower Beer Fritters
Elevate your snacking experience with these Spicy Cauliflower Beer Fritters, a mouthwatering recipe inspired by Jamie Oliver's cooking. This dish brilliantly showcases cauliflower, transforming it into crispy, flavorful bites that are perfect for gatherings or as a midday treat. The fritters are enveloped in a spiced beer batter, adding depth and crunch to every bite. Fresh parsley leaves fried alongside the fritters add a vibrant green touch. Best served immediately while still crisp, these fritters pair wonderfully with a zesty lemon squeeze and a sprinkle of sea salt, making them not just a delicious snack but a standout dish at any meal. Dive into this unique culinary adventure where flavors collide and satisfaction reigns!
6
Servings
300
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
cauliflower
1 head (broken into bite-sized florets)
flour
for dusting (none)
vegetable oil
for frying (none)
potato
1 small (peeled (optional, for testing oil temperature))
fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 bunch (leaves picked)
sea salt
to taste (none)
lemon
1 (juiced)
cumin seeds
1 teaspoon (crushed)
black mustard seeds
2 teaspoons (crushed)
dried red chilies
2-3 (crushed (or less if desired))
black peppercorns
1 teaspoon (crushed)
self-rising flour
1 3/4 cups (none)
turmeric
1/2 teaspoon (none)
cold beer
1 1/2 cups (none)
Instructions
1
To start, prepare the batter. In a pestle and mortar, crush cumin seeds, mustard seeds, dried chilies, and black peppercorns until finely ground. Set aside.
2
In a mixing bowl, add self-rising flour and incorporate the ground spice mixture along with turmeric. Gradually pour in cold beer and whisk until the batter reaches the consistency of heavy cream. Adjust thickness with more beer if necessary, and season with sea salt. Set the batter aside.
3
Next, prepare the cauliflower. Trim the base of the stalk and break the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Slice the stalk into 1-inch pieces for even cooking. Rinse the cauliflower thoroughly, then drain and gently pat dry with paper towels.
4
Dust the cauliflower florets lightly with flour to help the batter adhere better during frying.
5
In a deep saucepan, pour vegetable oil to a depth of 4-5 inches and heat to 350°F. If you don't have a thermometer, test the oil by dropping in a potato piece; it should float and sizzle when ready. Remove the potato once the oil is hot.
6
Carefully dip the cauliflower pieces into your seasoned beer batter, ensuring they are well-coated. Working in small batches, gently place the battered cauliflower into the hot oil, taking care to avoid splashes. Fry until golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally with a slotted spoon.
7
As the fritters near completion, add battered parsley leaves to the oil, frying them for about 40 seconds until crispy, then remove both the fritters and parsley, allowing excess oil to drain on kitchen towels.
8
Finally, sprinkle the freshly fried fritters with sea salt and a squeeze of lemon juice for a burst of freshness. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
15
Fat
37
Carbs
3.4
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spicy Cauliflower Beer Fritters?
Spicy Cauliflower Beer Fritters are a snack or appetizer consisting of cauliflower florets coated in a spiced beer batter and fried until crispy, inspired by Jamie Oliver's cooking style.
Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, these fritters are vegetarian as they primarily consist of cauliflower, flour, beer, and various spices.
How many calories are in one serving of these fritters?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 15 grams of fat per serving.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What spices are used in the beer batter?
The batter is seasoned with crushed cumin seeds, mustard seeds, dried red chilies, black peppercorns, and turmeric.
What type of flour is required for the batter?
The recipe calls for 1 3/4 cups of self-rising flour.
Why is beer used in the batter?
Cold beer helps create a light, airy, and crispy texture in the fried batter.
What should the consistency of the batter be?
The batter should have the consistency of heavy cream.
How do I prepare the cauliflower?
Trim the base, break it into bite-sized florets, and slice the stalk into 1-inch pieces. Rinse and pat dry thoroughly.
Why do I need to dust the cauliflower with flour?
Lightly dusting the florets with flour helps the beer batter adhere better to the cauliflower during frying.
What temperature should the frying oil be?
The vegetable oil should be heated to 350°F (175°C).
How can I test the oil temperature without a thermometer?
You can drop a small piece of potato into the oil; if it sizzles and floats, the oil is ready.
What is the purpose of the fried parsley?
Battered and fried parsley adds a vibrant green touch and a unique crispy texture to the final dish.
How long should I fry the parsley leaves?
The parsley leaves should be fried for about 40 seconds until crispy.
What is the best way to serve these fritters?
Serve them immediately while still crisp, seasoned with sea salt and a fresh squeeze of lemon juice.
Can I use the cauliflower stalk in this recipe?
Yes, the stalk can be sliced into 1-inch pieces and fried along with the florets for even cooking.
What are the primary carbohydrates in this dish?
There are 37 grams of carbohydrates per serving, primarily from the flour and cauliflower.
How much protein is in the Spicy Cauliflower Beer Fritters?
There is 3.4 grams of protein per serving.
Is there any turmeric in the recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric is added to the batter for flavor and color.
What equipment is needed to grind the spices?
A pestle and mortar is recommended to crush the seeds and chilies into a fine ground.
What kind of oil should I use for frying?
Vegetable oil is recommended for frying these fritters.
How much beer is used?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of cold beer.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
Yes, you can use fewer dried red chilies if a milder flavor is desired.
What type of parsley is used?
One bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves is used.
Do I need to peel the potato used for testing?
The recipe suggests peeling one small potato if you are using it to test the oil temperature.
How deep should the oil be for frying?
You should pour vegetable oil to a depth of 4-5 inches in a deep saucepan.
Should the beer be cold or room temperature?
The beer should be cold to ensure the best batter texture.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 14 ingredients in total, including optional items like the potato for testing.
How do you handle excess oil after frying?
Allow the fritters and parsley to drain on kitchen towels after removing them from the hot oil.