What's for dinner?
#5041
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
I have discovered (thanks to my neighbor telling me) that the key to crispy tater tots (and I assume fries) is to buy the ones labeled "extra crispy". I never noticed them before.
#5042
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,258
Thanks for the tip. Deeper coating of oil? I’ve tried leaving the regular ones in the oven longer but they’re only marginally crisper.
#5044
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
#5045
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Philly burbs
Programs: US,UA,AA,DL,hhonors
Posts: 2,966
My keys to achieving crispy fried foods:
1) Invest in a good thermometer to measure/regulate oil temps.
2) Don’t overcrowd your pan or deep fryer. This is the biggest mistake most folks make. Adding more chicken/shrimp etc screws up the oil ambient temperature.
3) For all foods, don’t disturb them while frying!
4) Double dip. Start off with your flour mixture. Then dip into your egg/milk wash. Then dip in your flour mixture.
5) Speaking of flour mixture, my other ingredients vary based upon the taste that I want to achieve, and total cooking time. Shrimp cooks quickly. So, I gravitate towards panko breadcrumbs. Mainly because panko burns easily. Chicken takes longer to fry. Italian seasoned breadcrumbs or corn meal ( or a combo) works well.
I hope that this helps!
1) Invest in a good thermometer to measure/regulate oil temps.
2) Don’t overcrowd your pan or deep fryer. This is the biggest mistake most folks make. Adding more chicken/shrimp etc screws up the oil ambient temperature.
3) For all foods, don’t disturb them while frying!
4) Double dip. Start off with your flour mixture. Then dip into your egg/milk wash. Then dip in your flour mixture.
5) Speaking of flour mixture, my other ingredients vary based upon the taste that I want to achieve, and total cooking time. Shrimp cooks quickly. So, I gravitate towards panko breadcrumbs. Mainly because panko burns easily. Chicken takes longer to fry. Italian seasoned breadcrumbs or corn meal ( or a combo) works well.
I hope that this helps!
#5046
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Grilled chicken thighs marinated in a lime-jalapeno-cilantro-chipotle mix. Either beans or salad on the side.
There's a chance this turns into tacos in the next two hours when I start the grill.
There's a chance this turns into tacos in the next two hours when I start the grill.
#5047
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,258
Turkey burgers on the grill, baked beans and Pringles. For the grandchildren.
#5048
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,654
We were lazy today... Rotisserie chicken and corn on the cob.
#5049
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,059
I was supposed to go out with a friend, but she canceled at the last minute. Honestly, I'm not upset, other than I had to scramble to figure out what I was getting for dinner. I ended up picking up Qdoba simply because it was easy and I haven't had it in months.
#5050
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 30,782
A BIG (Elaine Benes type) pink salad. Pink because I made a vinaigrette from fresh strawberries and I also added pickled red onions I made on Sunday and those are bright pink.
#5051
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: UA Premier Gold, 1.5 Million Mile Flyer
Posts: 3,547
Home smoked 11 hours pulled pork sandwiches and coleslaw. Photo taken at about 8 hours.
#5052
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,258
#5053
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 30,782
It was pinker...don't know why it didn't photograph right.
#5054
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
That's an interesting combo, I wouldn't have thought the strawberries and onions would play nice together.
#5055
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 30,782
One of my favorite combos is spinach salad with raspberry dressing and that has bacon and red onions. There I think the raw red onions can be a bit harsh unlike pickled ones.