BASIL-STUFFED SQUASH BLOSSOMS

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Basil-Stuffed Squash Blossoms image

Wrap basil around ricotta and bocconcini and tuck it all into delicate, fresh squash blossoms. Dip in egg and then in cornmeal, and fry as a first course teeming with tender seasonal goodness.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Appetizers

Number Of Ingredients 8

3/4 cup fresh ricotta cheese
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
10 large fresh basil leaves
1 ounce bocconcini, cut into 10 pieces
10 squash blossoms
Vegetable oil, for frying
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup fine yellow cornmeal

Steps:

  • Put ricotta in a fine sieve set over a bowl. Let drain in refrigerator 3 hours or overnight. Discard liquid.
  • Season ricotta with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper; stir until smooth. Transfer to a large pastry bag fitted with a coupler. Pipe 1 tablespoon ricotta onto 1 basil leaf. Place a small piece of bocconcini on top of ricotta; pinch leaf closed. Carefully open 1 squash blossom; place stuffed basil leaf inside blossom. Press gently to seal. Repeat with remaining basil leaves and squash blossoms.
  • Heat about 3 inches oil in a medium heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until it registers 365 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Put eggs and cornmeal in separate small bowls. Dip 1 stuffed blossom into the eggs, then into the cornmeal to coat. Fry in batches of 2 to 3 until golden, about 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer to paper towels using a slotted spoon; let drain. Season with salt. Serve immediately.

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