Day 148: Fried Green Beans

I have been waiting all year to do this post, since I used it last year for Thanksgiving dinner and thought November would be a good month to blog about it.  However, the blog that I originally pinned from doesn't exist anymore :( I searched Pinterest and I found a few similar recipes, but I don't really know how they taste since they aren't the exact recipe I used.  I'll do my best to remember the recipe I used, as well as copy the recipe from a "copy-cat" blog.  Between the two of them, you should be able to come up with a tasty side dish for one of your many upcoming holiday meals!

Fried Green Beans

1 pound green beans (serves 4-I actually had about 8 pounds                               because we were serving almost 40 people)
3 cans chicken stock
1 cup flour
1 cup Panko seasoned bread crumbs (if you don't used seasoned crumbs, be sure to flavor with garlic powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning or whatever suits your taste!)
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 egg
1 cup milk

Clean and de-string beans.  Bring broth to a boil (if needed, add water to broth) and cook beans until crisp tender (about 12 minutes).  Shock in ice water to stop the cooking process and keep them bright green.  Meanwhile, as the beans cook, combine the flour, salt and pepper and Panko crumbs in a shallow bowl or plate. Combine the milk and egg in another bowl.  After shocking the cooked beans, dip them in the egg/milk mixture and dredge them in the flour/crumb mixture.  Use a deep fryer and drop a basket full for 90 seconds.  They should be golden brown.  Drain on a plate covered in paper towels and serve immediately.  

There's a great, spicy Wasabi ranch sauce that goes with these beans, but it's not too kid-friendly and who has that much more time on Thanksgiving day anyway?  We just used the same Hidden Valley ranch dip that was on the veggie tray and it was great.  

Here's the copycat recipe that is similar to the one I used.  Put something together with these same general ingredients and you'll be just fine :)

T.G.I Friday's Fried Green Beans Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans
• 1 cup ranch dressing^[3]
• 1/4 cup minced cucumber
• 1 teaspoon Wasabi powder^[4]
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon horseradish
• 3 cubes chicken bullion
• 1 cube beef bullion
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk +1 tablespoon (for sauce, if necessary)

T.G.I Friday's Fried Green Beans Recipe

1. Clean and de-string green beans.
2. In a small bowl, combine ranch dressing, cucumber, Wasabi powder, vinegar and horseradish.
3. Stir well until a thick sauce is formed. Some water or milk may be added to reach the desired consistency.
4. In a large pot, combine the chicken and beef bullion cubes with 4 cups of water; bring to a boil.
5. Put green beans into boiling broth and allow to cook for approximately 12 minutes, or until tender, yet crisp.
6. Dunk green beans into an ice water bath to stop the cooking process and remain the texture of the green beans, then allow to dry on paper towels.
7. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine flour, Panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne pepper in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
8. In a separate bowl, combine the egg and milk.
9. Dip green beans into egg wash, then dredge into flour mixture.
10. Cover the bottom of a frying pan with olive oil.
11. Fry green beans for about 2 minutes, turning frequently until the beans take on a golden brown hue.^[5]
12. Repeat frying process until all green beans are fried.
13. Serve immediately with dipping sauce.