PANKO CRUSTED FRIED PICKLES
Fried pickles are a Southern fried staple made popular by the late Bernell ‘Fatman’ Austin, who began serving these culinary gems at his restaurant, the Duchess Drive-In, in 1963. I’ve only tried these plebian concombre au vinaigre a few times before making them myself – using an ad hoc recipe of buttermilk and flour – so, of course I’d want to raise the brow a bit to make my Panko Crusted Fried Pickles.
A rapturous crunch and a bite of cayenne, along with a Sambal dipping sauce; sure to be frowned upon by frizzled pickle eating purists, regardless, if you were to research the first ‘French Fried Pickles’ recipe via the Oakland Tribune from November 19, 1962 you’ll see why I have no reason to dill-y dally with a mea culpa.
PREP/COOK TIME: About 30 Minutes
Makes About 4 Servings
INGREDIENTS
Vegetable Oil for Frying
2 Cups – Kosher Dill Oval Cut Hamburger Pickle Chips
1 ¾ Cups – Buttermilk
2 ½ Tsp – Kosher Salt
1 Tsp – Coarse Black Pepper
¼ Tsp – Cayenne
1 Cup – Panko Bread Crumbs
1 Cup – All Purpose Flour
SAUCE
¼ Cup – Mayonnaise
¼ Cup – Sour Cream
1 Tb – Grated Garlic
1 Tb and 1 Tsp - Sambal Oelek
THE NITTY GRITTY
Prepare sauce by combining mayo, sour cream, garlic and sambal in a small bowl; stir till blended. Cover and keep in the fridge till ready to serve.
Drain pickles in a wired sieve or colander; place in one layer on dry paper towels to absorb excess liquid; pat dry with additional paper towels.
In a medium bowl, combine buttermilk, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper and cayenne; whisk till blended.
In another mixing bowl, preferably a large one for tossing, add panko, flour, 1 tsp salt, and remaining ½ tsp black pepper; whisk to combine.
Dredge pickles from buttermilk mixture to panko and flour; alternating twice. Place coated pickles onto a tray in one layer; let set while oil is heating up.
In a large pan, heat about one inch of vegetable oil at medium high till shimmering.
Fry pickles for about 1 – 2 minutes each side, or till golden. Transfer fried pickles to paper towels to drain oily excess. Sprinkle with remaining ½ tsp salt.
Serve immediately with sauce and enjoy.
FEBRUARY 2, 2021
