ARGO CORNSTARCH LIGHT BATTER FOR FRYING MEAT AND VEGETABLES

I first posted this recipe in 2008. It proved to be very popular so I thought I would post it again. Years ago, in Indiana we had a large houseboat. I made too many to count batches of fresh vegetables dipped in a batter like this and fried them in my Fry Daddy. They were a big hit on the dock, with my family and visiting friends. This recipe always reminds me of those good old days.

This old newspaper advertisement says to "Let the natural flavor of your fried vegetables come through with the light touch of Argo and Kingsford's. And try these easy and delicious recipes. You'll agree that for light and crispy fried vegetables or chicken, it really is the batter that matters."

LIGHT BATTER

3/4 cup Argo or Kingford's Corn Starch
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup water
1 egg, slightly beaten

In bowl, stir together first 5 ingredients. Add water and egg; stir until smooth. Pour 1 qt (about) corn oil into large skillet to depth of 1/2", filling no more than 1/3 full. Heat over medium heat to 375 degrees. Dip 4 cups cutup vegetables, such as zucchini, carrots, onion, and mushrooms, or 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" cubes, a few at a time, into batter. (Stir batter occasionally.) Carefully add vegetables or chicken to hot oil, a few pieces at a time. Fry 2 to 3 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels. Serves 4 to 6.
HERB BATTER: Follow basic recipe. Add 1 tsp dried basil leaves and 1 clove garlic, minced.
BEER BATTER: Follow basic recipe. Omit water. Add 1/3 cup cold beer.

CHICKEN COATING

This is an old recipe I saw on another fb page. I thought some of you might enjoy it.

FISH BATTER

This is a good batter to make for frying your fresh catch of fish.

2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 cup ice water
2 tbsp baking powder
1 egg

Put all the stuff together in a bowl and mix it with a fork or spoon. Dip your fish in the batter then fry in hot grease.

(This recipe is signed by Sarge, whoever he was.)

                               This is a file photo used for reference only.

BATTER FOR FRYING FISH AND VEGETABLES

This recipe is one I found in an old volunteer fire department cookbook from Southern Indiana.

2 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsps baking powder
1 tsp salt

In a small mixing bowl, place the beaten eggs. Add the milk to the eggs and blend well. Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to the milk and egg mixture. Heat oil to approximately 350-360 degrees. Dip fresh fish fillets into the batter, then gently drop into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown and fillets rise to the top of the oil. To keep your oil from cooling down too much, only add a couple of pieces of fish at a time. After removing fish from the oil, drain on paper toweling for a couple of minutes.

This batter is also great for making fried onion rings, fried zucchini, etc.

Note: File Photo