Fried Pickles With Cajun Aioli Recipes

BAKED FRESH HAM SANDWICHES WITH FRIED PICKLES AND CAJUN AIOLI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Trim off any skin and excess fat from the fresh ham, leaving 1/4 inch of fat at most. Place the ham, fat-side up, in a roasting pan.
• Combine the coconut oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme and 2 tablespoons each salt and pepper in a bowl. Rub the mixture all over the ham. Bake until the internal temp reaches 160 to 165 degrees F, 5 to 5 1/2 hours (essentially 30 minutes per pound), basting every hour with beer. Let rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving.
• Slather aioli on the bottom and top sides of the buns. Top the bottom buns with sliced ham, fried pickles and a bun top.
• For the Cajun aioli: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and Cajun seasoning until combined. Fold in the green onions, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• For the fried pickles: Combine the sour cream and pickle juice in a shallow dish. In a second shallow dish, whisk the flour, cornmeal and cayenne until combined.
• Drain the pickles and add them to the sour cream mixture. Then, using a fork, add the pickles, a few at a time, to the flour mixture and toss to coat.
• Heat 1/2 inch of canola oil to 350 degrees F in a large cast-iron skillet. In several batches, fry the pickles, flipping constantly, until golden brown and crispy all over, 2 1/2 minutes per batch. Drain on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and season with salt.

FRIED PICKLES

Steps:

• Cover a plate with parchment paper or wax paper. In a shallow dish, combine buttermilk, salt, and pepper. Place pickles in mixture and set aside.
• Pour the flour, cornmeal, seafood seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning into a large, resealable plastic bag; shake to mix well. Add pickles a few at a time and tumble gently to coat evenly with the flour mixture. Remove and place on prepared plate.
• Heat oil to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C) in deep-fryer or heavy deep skillet.
• Fry pickles in several batches until golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside with a moist interior, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• In a small bowl, combine buttermilk ranch dressing with 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning; blend. Serve as a dipping sauce for warm pickles.