Best Crispy Cornmeal Fried Leek Rings Inspired By Alton Ina Eat Like No One Else Recipes

CORNMEAL-FRIED ONION RINGS

Steps:

• Peel the onions, slice them 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick, and separate them into rings. Combine the buttermilk, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Add the onion rings, toss well, and allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes. (The onion rings can sit in the buttermilk for a few hours.) In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
• When you're ready to fry the onion rings, preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
• Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large pot or Dutch oven. (A candy thermometer attached to the side of the pot will help you maintain the proper temperature.) Working in batches, lift some onions out of the buttermilk and dredge them in the flour mixture. Drop into the hot oil and fry for 2 minutes, until golden brown, turning them once with tongs. Don't crowd them! Place the finished onion rings on the baking sheet, sprinkle liberally with salt, and keep them warm in the oven while you fry the next batch. Continue frying the onion rings and placing them in the warm oven until all the onions are fried. They will remain crisp in the oven for up to 30 minutes. Serve hot.

LEEK RINGS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a 5-quart Dutch fitted with a deep-fry thermometer oven over medium-high heat to 375ºF.
• Slice the leeks into 1/2-inch wide rings, separating them 2 layers at a time.
• Whisk together the milk and the egg in a medium mixing bowl. Combine the flour and salt in another medium mixing bowl. Divide the flour into 2 separate, shallow dishes and place the milk and egg mixture in a third.
• Dip one small handful of the rings first into the first flour mixture, then into the milk and egg, and then into the second flour mixture. Working in batches, fry the rings until golden brown, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Using a spider strainer, carefully remove the rings to a wire rack set inside a half-sheet pan and drain for 2 to 3 minutes before serving. Season with additional salt, if desired.

DRY FRIED CALAMARI

Steps:

• Place the peanut oil in a 4 to 5-quart Dutch oven and place over medium-high heat. Heat oil until it reaches 375 degrees F.
• Rinse the squid thoroughly and pat dry. Cut the tentacles in half lengthwise and the tubes into 1/2-inch rings. Set aside.
• Place the flour and the cornmeal into a medium mixing bowl and stir to combine. In small handfuls, dredge the squid in the flour and cornmeal mixture and shake off the excess. In batches, gently lower the squid into the hot oil. Cook for 1 minute. The squid will not be browned, but lightly golden in color. Remove the squid and transfer to a cooling rack turned upside down set over a newspaper-lined sheet pan. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Repeat until all of the squid is cooked. Make sure to check the temperature of the oil before each batch to ensure it is 375 degrees F. Serve immediately.

FRIED LEEKS

Steps:

• In a medium sauce pot heat oil to 350 degrees F.
• Clean and julienne leeks. Sift cornstarch and flour together. Dust leeks in flour/cornstarch and fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Drain on a paper towel, season with salt. See Cook's Note.

CRISPY ONION RINGS

Steps:

• Put the onions in a large bowl and cover with milk. Let soak for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using a fine-sieve over a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, 2 teaspoons salt, chili powder, and cumin, if using. Stir in the beer until a smooth batter is formed. Set aside.
• Drain the onions and transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Blot the onions with paper towels until dry.
• In a large, wide heavy-bottomed pot, pour in the oil to a depth of about 2 inches. Place over medium heat and heat to 400 degrees F. (The oil must be heated to 400 degrees F. since the temperature drops oil to about 375 degrees F. when the onions are added.)
• Working in batches, transfer about 8 to 10 of the onions to the batter and mix to coat well. Using tongs, pull several of the onions out of the batter, and let any excess batter fall back into the bowl. Carefully add to the oil and fry, flipping once, until golden brown and crispy, about 3 1/2 minutes per batch. Using the tongs, transfer to a dry paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Sprinkle with salt to taste. Repeat with the remaining onions. Serve immediately.

FRIED LEEKS (GARNISH)

Steps:

• In a medium sauce pot heat oil to 350 degrees F. Sift cornstarch and flour together.
• Dust leeks in flour/cornstarch and fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Drain on a paper towel, season with sea salt.

CRISPY FRIED LEEKS

Steps:

• Pour peanut oil into heavy small saucepan to depth of 1 inch; heat to 350°F. Fry leeks in small batches until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Using slotted spoon, transfer fried leeks to paper towels to drain.

CRISPY FRIED LEEK RINGS

Steps:

• 1. Slice leek from the bottom [white] part to where the stalk becomes light / medium green in 3/8" to 1/2" rings. Carefully separate them into separate rings, discarding the tight, white centers.
• 2. Immerse rings in ice water and clean carefully. Remove, drain and carefully pat dry.
• 3. "Dredge" rings in cornstarch. Set aside.
• 4. Preheat peanut oil to 375 degrees.
• 5. Place flour in a bowl and whisk in milk. Add grated shallot. The batter should be the consistency of thin pancake batter. When you've achieved this, whisk in remaining ingredients.
• 6. Coat leek rings [in small batches] with the batter. Shake of excess and drop in oil and fry until deep, golden brown. Drain and sprinkle with sea or kosher salt while hot. Repeat steps until all rings are complete.
• 7. Fantastic on their own as a side dish, but equally as delicious on a burger, in a salad, or as a topping for soup. Enjoy!