Crispy Squash Blossoms
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 (2-pound) boneless pork butt
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large red onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup Bar Americain Barbecue Sauce (page 236) or store-bought barbecue sauce
- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock, homemade (page 240) or store-bought
- 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 18 squash blossoms
- 1 quart canola oil
- 2 cups rice flour
- Black Pepper Vinaigrette (recipe follows)
- 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 heaping tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- (makes about 1 1/4 cups)
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- To braise the pork, heat the oil in a medium roasting pan over high heat.
- Season the pork on all sides with salt and pepper.
- Sear in the oil until golden brown on all sides, about 15 minutes.
- Transfer the pork to a plate.
- Add the onion to the pan and cook until softened, 4 minutes.
- Add the barbecue sauce and stock and bring to a simmer.
- Return the pork to the pan, cover the pan with foil, and braise in the oven until the meat is fork-tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Remove from the oven, uncover, and let the pork cool in the liquid.
- While the pork is braising, put the ricotta in a strainer lined with cheesecloth set over a bowl and let drain in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Drain the pork, reserving the liquid, and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Set aside.
- Put 2 cups of the braising liquid into a large saute pan over high heat and boil until reduced to 1 cup and slightly thickened, 5 mintues.
- Add the vinegar and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the shredded pork.
- Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
- Put the drained ricotta into a large bowl; discard the liquid.
- Add the pork and season with salt and pepper.
- Gently fill each squash blossom with the mixture and twist the tops of the blossoms to secure the filling.
- Heat the oil in large saucepan over medium heat until it reaches 365F on a deep-fat thermometer.
- While the oil is heating, whisk together 2 cups cold water and the flour until smooth.
- Season with salt and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Dip the squash blossoms in the batter and let any excess batter drip off.
- Fry the squash blossoms in batches, turning once, until light golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Drain on a plate lined with paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
- Drizzle some of the black pepper vinaigrette in the center of each of 6 dinner plates and place 3 squash blossoms on top for each serving.
- Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, and honey until combined.
- Slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified.
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Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/crispy-squash-blossoms-382795 (may not work)