DEEP FRIED STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add okra, cooking until roping ceases, about 30 minutes; set aside.
• Meanwhile in a large Dutch oven or heavy bottomed stockpot, heat the 3/4 cup of oil.
• Using a wooden spoon, stir in the flour. Cook over medium to medium high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is a milk chocolate color.
• Add the onion, bell pepper and celery to the roux, cook and stir about 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook another minute.
• Add the heated stock a little at a time, stirring until fully incorporated.
• Add the tomatoes, thyme, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, salt, hot sauce and okra, stir; add the frozen gumbo crab bodies and their whole claws.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and low simmer for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, occasionally skimming off any foam and excess oil that accumulates on the top. Do not allow to boil.
• Remove the gumbo crabs and add in the cleaned, boiled crab bodies and the prepared crab claws, if using.
• Toss the shrimp with Old Bay and Cajun seasoning and add to the gumbo pot, cook for about 4 minutes.
• Add the lump crab, very gently stir in so as not to break up the crab too much; simmer just until heated through. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
• Serve in bowls over hot, cooked rice and garnish each serving with green onion if desired. Pass hot sauce at the table.

Steps:

• Put beans in a large bowl and cover with water by 3 to 4 inches — they will triple in volume as they soak. Soak for 24 hours, checking once or twice to see if you need to add water to keep the beans covered.
• Drain beans well and transfer to a food processor with all the remaining ingredients except the oil; pulse until minced but not puréed; add water tablespoon by tablespoon if necessary to allow the machine to do its work, but keep the mixture as dry as possible. (Too much water and your falafel will fall apart. If that happens, add more ground beans.) Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, cayenne or a little more lemon juice as needed.
• Put at least 2 to 3 inches of oil (more is better) in a large deep saucepan (the narrower the pan, the less oil you need; but the more oil you use, the more you can cook at one time). Turn heat to medium high and heat oil to about 350 (a pinch of batter will sizzle immediately; a piece of falafel will sink halfway to the bottom, then rise).
• Scoop out heaping tablespoons of the mixture and shape it into balls or small patties. Fry in batches, without crowding, until nicely browned, turning as necessary; total cooking time per batch will be less than 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.