Hello everyone,
Father’s Day is around the corner and the majority of us are going to kick back, relax, do some BBQ in the backyard with family and friends, some beer, some watermelons and ice-cream for kids and yes maybe more beer… It’s so hot outside that having any other stronger versions of alcohol sounds unreasonable. Although beer is labeled as a men’s drink, some ladies, like Angela Merkel and those who can’t pair certain food with any other drink do enjoy a beer with all the passion this special drink deserves.
While some ladies find it “unusual” for a lady to drink beer, we Lenten chef team in general and I, Lentenchef lady, in particular, found it delicious. While I might be biased but there is no better way to use another hand (the one that is not busy with holding beer) that to grab tasty, fresh from the pan Lenten Cauliflower Fritters in a spicy beer batter.
Crispy, spicy, right of the pan cauliflower fritters sprinkled with salt and freshly squeezed lemon juice are fabulously flavorful culinary creation. Cauliflower fritters will be the perfect snack for men around a BBQ. You might say, cauliflower fritters healthy indeed, but isn’t it too boring? Please trust me! The combination of spices in a batter will transform our gentle cauliflower to a different level. Egg-free batter with the hint of beer, cumin, mustard seeds has its distinctive Middle-Eastern Twist but in the end, flavors blend beautifully into the finished product.
Men can do their men’s job grilling shrimp, scallops or fish shish kebabs or shashlik enjoying beer, men’s talk, and spicy fritters while women will enjoy their beer, girl’s talk, and fritters while making a salad.
Father’s Day falls on a weekend, which means that even those who are currently fasting being on Peter and Paul Orthodox lent now can afford a glass of wine or any similar substance to celebrate Father’s Day. (According to church Ustav wine is allowed on weekends). Fish is allowed during Peter and Paul Lent too (except for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) so we have a variety of options to enjoy BBQ and celebration without drooling on a smell of fire coming from neighbor’s house.
Dear Ladies! Let’s WOW our Fathers, Husbands, Sons (Fathers to Be) and all Men with carefully planned and cooked with love festive food. Vegetables are not boring and our Cauliflower fritters prove that. Fasting is easy when everyday old classics are transformed into Michelin star award culinary masterpiece using simple tools of love, care, imagination and spices of course!
After eating this incredible meal, you will become a pinch happier, I promise!
Bon Appétit!
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1 1/4 cup beer
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 bunch flat-leaf parsley
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/4 potato
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp black mustard seeds
- 1 tsp turmeric
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients
- Ground all your spices to a powder in mortar with pestle
- Mix flour, baking powder, and spices in a bowl. Slowly add little portions of beer or sparkling water to the flour mixture, mixing constantly until you reach the thickness of whipped cream. Put the pan on a medium-high heat add oil for frying and a piece of raw potato. When potato floats on a surface and starts sizzling it means that the oil is ready for frying your tempura.
- Wash your cauliflower and pat dry with paper towel. Divide florets into bite-size portions. Sprinkle with flour and dip into batter. Place florets in hot oil using away- from- yourself motion. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry 1-2 min on each side.
- Remove from batter and place on paper towel to get rid of excess oil.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and serve immediately with a piece of lemon on a side. Bon Appétit!
