Upon learning I'm a fried pickle aficionado, people frequently asked whether I make them myself. Especially if they are not able to easily access this most delicious delicacy.
Believe me, I understand. It's hard having a long-distance relationship with fried pickles and I'm more than a little relieved to have left those days behind.
In the midst of a fried pickle drought, I decided I would make them for friends. I scoured the internet for recipes and combined a few. My friend Annie hosted a party and so it came to be. I brought all the ingredients over and set to work.
The results were...OK. Everyone liked them. But they didn't know about the perfection that is La Grotto's fried pickles. In comparison, this first attempt was so-so. I resigned myself to sticking with restaurants until I could find a better way.
Last month I made my first ever batch of pickles. I've brought them to parties and they've been a big hit.
But that inevitable question popped back up again: are you going to fry them?
It was time to try again. I scoured the internet once more and happened upon this recipe involving beer batter. The beauty of that particular site is reading everyone's feedback on the recipes. I decided to season the beer batter and the flour equally and added cayenne into the mix as well. This was a good decision.
The "drinking version" of Anne of Avonlea (follow up to the grown up viewing of Anne of Green Gables) was deemed to be the perfect time for fried pickles. Alece, Tracee, and Ashley Elizabeth agreed to be my guinea pigs, trusting souls that they are.
The oil heated, the batter made, the frying began.
Verdict? Success!
Other verdict? This recipe makes a crapload of batter. I could have fried up two more jars of pickles, easily.
I hosted Dinner Club this past week. I had one jar of pickles left and decided to halve the recipe. I poured half the beer in and drank the rest. Not enough beer to make me a safety hazard whilst frying. Win-win.
There was still a bit of batter left over, even after making fried okra.
My most second glorious attempt may not look as uniform as what you'll find in a restaurant but a) there's beauty in imperfection b) I made these babies start to finish and c) homemade pickles for homemade fried pickles are insanely good.
I am still the reigning Fried Pickle Queen.
(I don't really know what that means but I think I like it.)
{Random postscript: I used to cook for people all the time when I still lived in Illinois. My current house isn't as conducive for the large parties I hosted once upon a time. But it's a good size for Dinner Club and other small gatherings. I don't know why I need the reminder every few months.
Hospitality doesn't have to be perfect. I've never believed it did. I'm going to start looking for reasons to have people over.
Drop by if you're in neighborhood.}
Did you enter my book giveaway yet? You have until Wednesday morning!
