frying

Zucchini Onion Chips

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Country Casual Cravings: Zucchini Onion Chips! We all know how versatile a meal can be once you add zucchini to the menu. But have you ever thought about an appetizer using a can of those classic crispy fried onions? It’s definitely a game-changer. Hear me out. Forget the holiday green bean casserole for a minute as you dip a fork into the can to nibble on these crunchies before tossing them onto a garden salad. Who can resist a sampling of that unique onion flavor? Not me. Now send everyone out of the house so you can work your magic. When they return, their mouths will begin to drool at the aromas from the kitchen. I’m guessing no one will suspect you disguised heart-healthy zucchini wrapped up in a delicious onion crust.

ZUCCHINI ONION CHIPS

Ingredients:

1 medium zucchini, sliced into rounds

Coarse salt

Vegetable oil, for frying

1 large egg, beaten

1 tablespoon flour

1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs

1/2 cup crispy fried onion rings, crumbled

Ranch dressing, for dipping

Instructions:

Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Place a single layer of zucchini rounds on top. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Cover with another layer of paper towels. Press down. Allow to sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture. In a wide skillet, add vegetable oil to be 1/4” deep. Warm oil over medium-high heat. In a shallow dish, combine flour, breadcrumbs, and crumbled onion rings. Mix well. Dredge one zucchini round in beaten egg and then breadcrumb mixture, coating completely. Place in the skillet; repeat until skillet is full. Do not allow zucchini rounds to touch each other. Cook 2 minutes per side until crispy and golden brown. Transfer zucchini chips to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Repeat with remaining zucchini. Serve immediately with ranch dressing for dipping.

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter W

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Something to Savor: Wonton Cheese Bites! Whenever I visit a Chinese Buffet, I practically make a pig of myself nibbling on those wonderful cream cheese-filled wontons. So, I picked up a package of wonton wrappers at the grocery store and decided it was time to make a batch at home. It’s so easy, my grandkids could do it, supervised of course. The results were delicious! 
WONTON CHEESE BITES
Ingredients:

8 ounces Neufchâtel cheese

2 green onions, chopped

1 tablespoon sriracha hot sauce

1 egg

1/2 cup water

24 wonton wrappers 

Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:

Combine softened Neufchâtel cheese, sriracha hot sauce, and green onion pieces. Mix well. Set aside. In another bowl combine the egg and water. Mix well. Set aside. One at a time, assemble the wontons. Scoop 1 teaspoon of cream cheese mixture near one corner of a wonton wrapper. Line the edges with egg wash by dipping your finger into it and “painting” the egg wash around the wrapper. Fold the wrapper on a diagonal and gently finger press the seams together. If necessary, dip your finger back in the egg wash to moisten the wrapper so it seals completely, eliminating any air pockets. (This could cause it to burst.) Bring the 2 opposite points of the triangle together to form a bishop’s hat. Apply more egg wash onto a tip, and press to seal. Curl back the top point to resemble a peaked cap. Keep the filled wontons under plastic wrap on a baking sheet to avoid drying out before frying. Heat oil for frying to 350°. Carefully fry a few wontons at a time, until golden brown and crispy. Serve with a sauce for dipping.