The Minute Gourmet

To cut down on the oil or fat absorbed by certain pan-fried vegetables, powder them with a light layer of select flour or flour-mix instead of using the often-prescribed thick batters or heavy breading. Here are the recipes for frying four fresh vegetables to retain their country-cooked flavor.

1. Simple Pan-Fried Zucchini (by City Sandra)

• 2-4 medium sized Zucchini squashes
• all-purpose flour
• grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
• salt and pepper
• high-grade vegetable cooking oil
• salad dressing or cheese dip of choice, if necessary

1. Wash and dry the squash
2. Cut off the rough ends, but do not peel
3. Slice into 1/4″-thick rounds; add salt and pepper lightly to taste
4. Warm a shallow layer (1/16″ or less) of oil in wide frying pan at medium-high heat
5. Powder both sides of the slices with the flour in a bowl or bag
6. Fry each side in the oil until golden brown, about 2½±-minutes each
7. Transfer the slices to a paper-towel-lined plate
8. Sprinkle them with grated cheese to taste
9. Serve warm; two to four adults

Note: The lightly floured slices absorb less oil during the frying stage than the thickly battered or breaded ones, which enhances the natural country taste of the vegetable itself.

2. Simple Pan-Fried Green Tomatoes (by City Sandra)

• 4-6 medium sized green tomatoes
• all-purpose flour
• grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
• salt and pepper
• high-grade vegetable cooking oil
• salad dressing or cheese dip of choice, if necessary

1. Wash and dry the tomatoes
2. Remove the stem area, if any
3. Slice into 1/4″-to-1/2″-thick rounds; add salt and pepper lightly to taste
4. Warm shallow layer (1/16″ or less) of oil in wide frying pan at medium-high heat
5. Powder both sides of the slices with flour in a bowl or bag
6. Fry one side in oil until golden brown, about 3±-minutes
7. Flip and do the other side until golden brown or done
8. Transfer the cooked slices to a paper-towel-lined plate
9. Sprinkle them with grated cheese to taste
10. Serve warm; two to four adults.

3. Simple Pan-Fried Okra (by Farmer Jim)

• 1-to-3-lb fresh of tender okras
• 1-cup all-purpose flour
• 1-cup yellow cornmeal
• salt & pepper
• high-grade vegetable cooking oil

1. Cut the stem end from each okra
2. Slice the okras transversely into rounds 1/8″-to-1/4″ thick
3. Add salt & pepper lightly to taste
4. Powder-down well in 1:1 mixture of flour and cornmeal in a bowl or bag
5. Fry in thin layer of oil with frequent turning until browned and done at medium-high heat
6. Serve on paper-towel-lined plate. (This dish goes well with fresh sliced or wedged tomatoes.)

4.  Down Home Pan-Fried Cabbage (by Farmer Jim)

• 1-head of cabbage (medium to large)
• salt and pepper
• high-grade vegetable oil or butter
• Optional ingredients if desired (see the list below)

1. Cut the head in half and core it
2. Par boil the halves in water 1-to-2-minutes
3. Cool and drain
4. Cut cabbage into large bite-sized pieces
5. Fry in small amount of oil or butter in large frying pan at medium-high heat
6. Add salt and pepper lightly to taste
7. Cover and simmer with occasional turning, like frying potatoes (5-10 minutes); portions of the cabbage will brown slightly
8. Serves two to six as main or side dish. (This dish goes well with bacon or sausage, fresh sliced or wedged tomatoes,and cornbread.)

Note: the following optional items can be individually added to the cabbage for variations of the same dish.

• Chopped onion or garlic (small amount)
• Par-boiled diced Zucchini pieces (1/3 to1/2 of total combined amount)
• Par-cooked potato slices or chunks (1/3 of total)
• Chopped canned pineapple (sweetness, 1/4 of total)
• Cooked noodles or pasta (1/3 to 1/2 of total)
• Also, some folks like cider or wine vinegar on their greens.

From these recipes, please enjoy the county-cooked flavor of fresh pan-fried vegetables.

More information on pan-frying vegetables

1. A Veggie Venture – Vegetable inspiration from Asparagus to Zucchini, Perfect Pan Fried Broccoli http://kitchen-parade-veggieventure.blogspot.com/2007/01/perfect-pan-fried-broccoli.html

2 Tammy’s Recipes – Everyday Cooking Inspiration, Golden Veggie Fried Rice http://www.Tammysrecipes.com/golden_veggie_fried_rice

Flank Steak $11.49 This thin, textured cut is perfect for fajitas! To bring out its flavor, cook it medium-rare and slice it thinly against the grain. In a rush? Don?t worry: All it needs is a quick pan-fry or grilling.

Ashby’s Japanesse Green Tea 20 bags $8.5 Ashby’s Japanese green tea is pan-fired lightly rolled and dried over a fire providing a light fresh green tea with the “Polyphenois” which is said to help fight off cancer! 20ct Box

---

Presto 05420 FryDaddy Electric Deep Fryer $21.99 You don’t need a 6- gallon oil vat to enjoy deep- fried foods at home–this petite deep fryer makes four big servings with just 4 cups of oil. A compact 7 inches in diameter, the fryer features easy controls for precision frying: it automatically maintains the proper frying temperature, letting you focus on cooking instead of fussing with the controls. The fryer features a snap-on lid, so you can …

All Clad Stainless-Steel 12-Inch Fry Pan with Lid $82.00 The “workhorse” of all cookware shapes, All-Clad fry pans’ versatile shape and size make them a frequent choice for scrambling eggs and bacon on Sunday morning, or preparing a quick chicken saut?? dinner on a weeknight. All-Clad fry pans go in the oven and under the broiler.Features:3-ply bonded stainless steel constructionEasy to clean 18/10 stainless steel interior will not react with foodsSolid…

Presto 06852 16-Inch Electric Skillet with Glass Cover $34.99 PRESTO ELECTRIC SKILLET WITH GLASS COVER *16″ skillet *1500 watts *Heavy cast aluminum with high sidewalls *Roasts, fries, grills, stews, bakes, makes casseroles and more *Doubles as a buffet server *Non-stick inside and out *Fully immersible with heat control removed *Tempered glass cover *This spacious skillet doesn’t need a stovetop to cook up delicious dishes *It’s electric, so all you have to…

7 3.5 mm Aluminum Non-Stick Fry Pan $5.61 fry pan, 7” dia., aluminum, non-stick coating Features Manufacturer’s Category: Fry Pan Construction: Aluminum With Non-Stick Coating Handle: Non-Insulated Dimensions: 7.000(W) Size (Approx.): 7””…

Aluminum Non-Stick Fry Pan w Steel Handle – Size: 14” Gauge:6 $152.28 These top of the line Tuxware fry pans are constructed with durable 3004 aluminum alloy and coated with the toughest non-stick coating. Available with a chrome-plated steel handle or permanently molded comfort grip handle. The angled handles ensure safety by keeping hands at a safe distance from the open flame and heat. Three heavy duty coated rivets secure the handle to the body of the fry pan. T…

---

Gourmet Chef Professional Heavy-duty Induction Nonstick Fry Pan $14.99 Gourmet Chef professional fry pan contains induction base Pan delivers remarkable results with ultra-conductive three-layer constructionCookware features non-stick cooking surface

18/10 Stainless Steel 11-inch Frying Pan with Lid $34.99 11-inch frying pan is made of mirror finish 18/10 stainless steel Cookware feature triple-ply encapsulated bottom for even heat distribution Pan has a tempered, tight-fitting glass lid with drip-free rims

Gourmet Chef Professional Heavy-duty Nonstick Fry Pan $17.99 Gourmet chef set lets you cook like a pro right at home Pan features a nonstick, induction designFry pan delivers remarkable results with ultra-conductive 3-layers construction

Black Carbon Steel 7 1/8-inch Frying Pan $19.9 Add a carbon steel frying pan to your cooking arsenalPan features a traditional black steel ‘Lyon’-shape to create a generous food-to-heat ratioHigh quality pan is suited for setting, scrambling and searing

Gourmet Chef Professional Heavy-duty Nonstick Fry Pans $46.49 Cook like a pro with this gourmet chef pan setFry pan set comes with three nonstick fry pansSkillets ensure exceptional results and hassle-free cleanup

Nonstick 12-inch Covered Chicken Frying Pan $17.69 Complete your collection of cookware with this non-stick chicken fryerGenerous 12-inch frying pan provides assist handle and glass coverFry pan features an easy-to-clean non-stick surface

Paderno Heavy-duty Steel 10 1/4-inch Frying Pan $31.94 Expand your cookware collection with a heavy-duty frying pan from PadernoFry pan is made from carbon steel and ideal for searingPan’s thickness allows for long preheating at high temperatures

Presto 11-inch Nonstick Frying Pan with Lid $34.49 Fry, grill or stew with this Presto nonstick panCookware accommodates large roast, ham or poultryPan features an innovative EverNu cover

Scanpan 12.25-inch Frying Pan $114.99 Frying pan is PFOA-freeCookware lets you fry without fatPan has an improved ceramic titanium non-stick surface

Swiss Diamond 10.25-inch Open Fry Pan $74.99 The Swiss Fry Pan features a patented diamond reinforced non-stick cooking surface using real diamond crystals in a nano-composite. This new surface on the open pay makes for unequal food release and easy effortless cleanup.

---