CRISPY SQUASH BLOSSOMS FILLED WITH PULLED PORK AND RICOTTA

Crispy Squash Blossoms Filled with Pulled Pork and Ricotta image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Time 6h50m

Yield 15 to 20 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

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1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
Braised Pork, recipe follows
Salt and pepper
20 squash blossoms
Canola oil or peanut oil, for frying
Rice Batter, recipe follows
Black Pepper Vinaigrette, recipe follows
1 (2-pound) pork butt, cut into 2-inch cubes
2 cups your favorite BBQ sauce
2 cups rice vinegar
1 large red onion, coarsely chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 cups cold water
2 cups rice flour
Salt
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
2 teaspoons honey
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

Place the ricotta in a strainer lined with cheesecloth over a bowl and let drain in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Discard liquid.
Combine the strained ricotta and shredded pork in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
Fill each squash blossom with the pork-cheese mixture and twist the top of the blossom to secure the filling while frying.
Fill a large, heavy saucepan halfway with oil and heat on the stove until the temperature reaches 360 degrees F.
Dredge each filled squash blossom in the rice batter to coat completely. Fry the squash blossoms in batches until lightly golden brown, turning once. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
Drizzle some of the black pepper vinaigrette in the center of a serving plate and place 2 squash blossoms on top for each serving. Serve hot.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Place pork cubes in a medium roasting pan. Stir together the BBQ sauce, vinegar, and onion and then pour mixture over the pork and season with salt and pepper. Cover the pan with foil and cook in the oven for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until the meat is fork tender. Let cool in the braising liquid, then drain the liquid from the meat and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Whisk together water and flour until smooth and season with salt. Let sit 10 minutes before using.
Combine vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, and honey in a blender. With the machine running, slowly add the oil until emulsified.