Fried Pickles and Little Abby???

Well, I have had a request for the fried pickle recipe so, first I will tell you how I came across this recipe. When I was 17 or 18 years old I had at least 3 jobs at all times. I don't really know why I just always did but looking back now I think that it was the Good Lord just trying to keep me busy and out of trouble :) Anyways, one of my jobs was working at a little shop in downtown Hot Springs called Maggie's Pickle Cafe. They were really nice people and I haven't really heard or thought about them in a long time. Well, the other day Joe was watching Emeril on the cooking channel and he was cooking a true "Southern" dinner and he made his own fried pickles. Joe is really into me frying things for him lately so he was all about this recipe. We tried it on our own and I didn't really care for his batter so we looked on the food network website and we came across this recipe submitted from Jennifer Clement, who was my old boss, from none other than the little cafe called Maggie's Pickle Cafe! I thought what a small world it is. So, anyways here is the recipe:

24 dill pickle spears, chilled---we used Klausen
egg wash, recipe follow
breading, recipe follows
canola oil, for frying
ranch dressing for dipping

Egg Wash:
2 cups milk--we used buttermilk
2 eggs
pinch lemon pepper
pinch dill weed
pickle juice
whisk all ingredients together except pickle juice first and then add the juice

Breading:
2 1/2 cups cornmeal
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup lemon pepper
1/2 cup dill weed
4 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons garlic salt
pinch cayenne pepper or more for a kick

Using only very cold dill pickle spears, dip pickle into egg wash and then coat with breading. Repeat this at least two times or until the pickle is completely covered. Lay on wax paper and chill for at least 30 minutes.

In a deep fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees. Carefully add chilled pickle spears, in batches, to the hot oil and fry for about 3 1/2 minutes or until golden. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain.

Serve with Ranch dressing.


It might sound a little complicated but it isn't and they are very well worth the effort!!


As for the puppy I think that I have settled on Abby. What do you think? Does she look like an Abigail to you? Joe isn't happy but he comes up with dumb names anyways....his childhood dog is named Azeroth and he really wanted to name Brock, Sully.....need I say anymore????