Battered Cauliflower

• On a recent trip to my favourite restaurant – Healds Hall in Liversedge – I had a starter of battered cauliflower with fried chillies.
• It was delicious and I decided to try out the battered cauliflower part.
• I looked up recipes for various batters and found a myriad of recipes. 
• Recipes use plain flour, potato flour, cornflour or rice flour or a mixture.
• Most recipes used sparking spring water or soda water.
• Some recipes used ice (not tried this).
• Some recipes used beer (not tried this).
• Some recipes used whole egg or egg white (I tried this).
• I tried out 3 variations and they all worked well.
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• Here are a few tips for whichever recipe you use.
• Cut the cauliflower into small pieces.
• Dry the cauliflower if necessary.
• Sprinkle flour over the cauliflower before dipping in the the batter – this helps it to stick.
• Liquid must be as cold as possible.
• Mix the batter quickly – lumps are okay.
• Batter should be quite thin.
• Use the mixed batter straight away.
• The oil for frying must be HOT.
• Do not put too many pieces in to cook at one time.
• Remove the cooked battered cauliflower with tongs or a slotted spoon.
• Leave on a wire rack for a few minutes.
• But do not leave the cooked cauliflower resting for long.
• *
• You can serve these as they are or with a variety of toppings.
• You can adapt this for other vegetables.

Batter Version 1 – quickest & easiest

Ingredients – 1

• 100g plain flour & extra for dusting the cauliflower.
• 200ml very cold sparkling water (or soda water)
• Salt & pepper
• *
• Sunflower oil to fry.

Method – 1

• Heat the oil till it is hot for frying.
• Flour the cut cauliflower pieces.
• Add salt & pepper to the 100g of flour.
• Quickly mix in the water checking for thickness – you might not need it all.
• Dip in the cauliflower.
• Fry the battered cauliflower until lightly golden.
• Remove pieces and place on a wire rack.

Batter Version 2

Ingredients – 2

• 70g plain flour & extra for dusting the cauliflower.
• 30g potato or corn flour**
• 200ml very cold sparkling water (or soda water)
• Salt & pepper
• *
• Sunflower oil to fry.
• *
• ** proportions can be different – 50:50 or 30:70

Method – 2

• Heat the oil till it is hot for frying.
• Flour the cut cauliflower pieces.
• Mix the 2 flours together.
• Add salt & pepper to the flours.
• Quickly mix in the water checking for thickness – you might not need it all.
• Dip in the cauliflower.
• Fry the battered cauliflower until lightly golden.
• Remove pieces and place on a wire rack.

Batter Version 3

Ingredients – 3

• 100g plain flour & extra for dusting the cauliflower.
• ½ beaten egg white
• 100ml very cold sparkling water (or soda water)
• Salt & pepper
• *
• Sunflower oil to fry

Method – 3

• Heat the oil till it is hot for frying.
• Flour the cut cauliflower pieces.
• Add salt & pepper to the flour.
• Mix in the egg white.
• Quickly mix in the water checking for thickness – you might not need it all.
• Dip in the cauliflower.
• Fry the battered cauliflower until lightly golden.
• Remove pieces and place on a wire rack.