The recipe for Hayley’s deep-fried pork (or chicken) cubes is a simple yet delicious dish that can serve as either a snack or a main course. The preparation is straightforward, making it accessible even for those who may not be very experienced in the kitchen. Here are some additional notes and tips to elevate this already tasty dish.
Key Components:
- Choice of Meat: This recipe offers flexibility in the choice of protein, allowing you to opt for either pork fillets or chicken breasts, depending on personal preference or what you have available.
- Seasoning: The meat is seasoned with just salt and pepper, allowing the flavors of the pork or chicken to shine through. However, you could also marinate the meat beforehand for more flavor depth.
- Batter: The batter, consisting of flour, salt, egg, oil, and beer or soda water, creates a crispy exterior when deep-fried. The inclusion of beer or soda water adds a lightness to the batter.
- Deep Frying: The meat is deep-fried, which means it will cook quickly and have a crispy exterior. The use of hot oil is crucial for this.
Ingredients:
- 2 pork fillets or 4 chicken breasts (cubed)
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp cornflour
Crispy Batter:
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 egg (separated)
- 1 tbsp oil
- ½ cup beer or soda water
Preparation:
Step 1: Blend batter ingredients, except egg white, in a food processor or with a whisk.
Step 2: Just before frying, fold in stiffly-beaten egg white.
Step 3: Dip seasoned, cubed meat, dusted with cornflour, in batter.
Step 4: Drip off excess batter and deep fry in hot oil.
Step 5: Drain on absorbent paper towel.
Step 6: Serve as a snack or with sweet and sour stir-fry.
Additional Serving Ideas:
- Dips: Consider serving the cubes with different types of dips like barbecue sauce, ranch, or a spicy aioli.
- Salads: These cubes could also be a great addition to salads, providing a crunchy texture.
- Appetizer: If serving as an appetizer, you might skewer the cubes with small toothpicks for easy eating.
- Meal Prep: These cubes can be made in advance and reheated in an oven to maintain their crispiness, making them a convenient option for meal prep.
Tips:
- Stiffly Beaten Egg White: The recipe calls for folding in a stiffly beaten egg white just before frying. This is an excellent technique to make the batter lighter and crispier.
- Drip off Excess Batter: Make sure to let any excess batter drip off before frying to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Oil Temperature: Make sure the oil is hot before frying (around 350°F or 175°C) but not smoking. You can test the oil by dropping a small amount of batter into it; it should sizzle and float to the top.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve the cubes with a sweet and sour stir-fry, which would offer a great contrast of flavors and textures.
Whether as an appetizer or a main course, this versatile recipe offers something for everyone, from the simplicity of its preparation to the delicious final product.
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