What is batter

Many have tried the dish called "Fish in batter". It is very simple to prepare, yet surprisingly tasty and aromatic. The main highlight is the batter, in which pieces of fish are dipped before frying. If you don't know what batter is and what it is for, then read this article.

Batter is a liquid dough made from various ingredients. The product is dipped into this base before frying, so it becomes juicy inside while a crispy crust forms outside. Fried batter is eaten because it is very, very tasty.

What products are fried in batter

Zucchini, cauliflower, onion rings, and tomatoes are fried in liquid dough. Additionally, fruits and berries (cherries, sweet cherries, apples, pears, and bananas) can also be fried in batter.

Batter is especially relevant for preparing pieces of pork, beef, and of course chicken. Fish in batter turns out juicy and appetizing.

Cooking tips

1. Meat products and vegetables need to be boiled before being dipped in batter; otherwise, they won't cook through simultaneously with the dough. Fruits and fish can be dipped in batter raw.
2. A liquid batter is suitable for dry products - it allows sunflower oil to penetrate well during frying, resulting in a juicy dish. Thick dough creates a dense crust under which the juice is preserved - such batter is ideal for juicy products.
3. Carbonated mineral water in the batter makes it airy, golden, and tender.
4. Aromatic herbs and spices in the batter can give the finished dish a special flavor, as well as significantly enhance its aroma. The following products are suitable as aromatic additives: garlic, crushed bell pepper, mushrooms, herbs, cheese, fried onions, young nuts, and various spices.
5. If you want to achieve a fluffy, light and lace-like batter, add whipped egg whites just before cooking.
6. It is best to prepare the liquid dough 1 hour before adding the products. During this time, the gluten will lose its elasticity, and the dough will not dry out too much during frying.
7. To make the dish truly delicious, it is prepared as follows: dip the chilled product (meat or vegetables) into the batter, and then place it in a pan with oil (it must be boiling). Fry on both sides.
8. The consistency of the dough is very important. To determine the correctness of the batter's preparation, dip a spoon into it. If the dough evenly coats the spoon without gaps, then the batter is ready for frying.
9. The finished dish should preferably be placed on a paper towel or napkin to absorb excess fat.

Popular batter recipes

Classic recipe

Show ingredients

It is not difficult to prepare such batter even for a novice cook.

Ingredients:

• drinking water - 1 tablespoon;
• sunflower oil - 1 tablespoon;
• egg - 1 piece;
• wheat flour - 100 grams;
• table salt - 1 pinch.

Preparation:

1. Prepare the batter in a deep pot. Combine sunflower oil with the egg and beat well with a whisk.
2. Salt the egg mixture. If desired, you can season the batter with Provencal herbs or black pepper.
3. Pour wheat flour into a bowl and add cold water. Whisk until a homogeneous mass without lumps is formed.
4. The classic batter is ready. It can be used for frying meat and fish.

Sweet batter for frying apples

Batter with sugar, prepared according to this recipe, is suitable for frying apples and other fruits. This option will be liked by sweet tooths.

Ingredients:

• sour cream - 100 ml.;
• granulated sugar - 50 grams;
• high-grade wheat flour - 1 cup;
• milk - 150 ml.;
• eggs - 3 pieces;
• vanillin - 1 pinch.

Preparation:

1. Carefully separate the egg yolks from the whites - place them in separate dishes.
2. Whip the egg whites with a mixer or whisk until a fluffy mass is formed. Chill the egg white mixture in the refrigerator.
3. Beat the yolks with sugar (2 tablespoons) and mix well with a spoon. Then season with vanilla and mix again.
4. Mix the yolk mass with sour cream and half of the milk. Sprinkle in the sifted wheat flour and knead the dough. Then pour in the milk and whisk until there are no lumps of flour in the dough.
5. Finally, fold in the egg whites and mix thoroughly with a spoon.
6. Dip the sliced apples into the batter and then fry in a pan in boiling sunflower oil.

Garlic batter

Garlic batter goes well with many products, it pairs perfectly with fish, meat, and vegetables. It has various preparation options. We will look at one of the recipes.

Ingredients:

• eggs - 1 piece;
• garlic - 2 cloves;
• wheat flour - 2 tablespoons;
• black pepper - to taste;
• table salt - to taste.

Cooking process:

1. Mix the egg with salt and spices in a deep bowl. It’s convenient to beat the ingredients using a whisk.
2. In the egg base, sprinkle in half of the wheat flour and mix well. Add the remaining flour and beat again with a whisk.
3. Prepare the main ingredient - garlic. Peel the cloves and grate them finely or pass them through a press.
4. Add the garlic to the batter and whisk again. That's it, the garlic batter is ready. You can use it for cooking dishes.

This article presents a small selection of recipes; batter can be made with the addition of various spices and aromatic herbs. Try, experiment, and create new recipes.