Courgette flowers can be found in the Summer in good farmer’s markets, specialist stores and ‘pick your own’ farms. Pumpkin flowers would work well, too.
Author:
Andy McLay – Head Chef at J Sheekey
Ingredients
4 courgette flowers
20g plain flour
½ normal bunch basil
Sunflower oil for frying
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the batter
165ml lager
80g self raising flour
Pinch of Cayenne pepper
Dash of soy sauce
Salt and ground white pepper
For the crab, tomato and lemon dressing
200g white crab meat
6 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Juice and grated zest of ½ lemon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Pour the beer into a large mixing bowl and gently whisk in the flour until you get a smooth and silky consistency (you may need to add more or less flour). Add Cayenne, soy sauce and seasoning. Leave in the fridge till ready to use. This can be made an hour before needed.
To make the dressing, mix the oil, vinegar, zest and lemon juice together in a bowl. Add the tomatoes, red onion and white crab meat. Mix well and season. Leave to one side.
Pour 6cm oil into medium-sized heavy-bottomed saucepan or use a deep-fat fryer. Heat to 160°C. If using a saucepan, please be careful as the oil will be very hot. Carefully dust the flowers in flour. Dip them in batter and fry until golden brown. Remove them with tongs and place onto kitchen paper to soak up excess oil. Season.
To serve, spread the crab dressing in a large serving dish, placing the courgette flowers on top. Scatter with torn basil
