Deep fry potluck - thanks for the ideas!

I'm hosting a party for my coworkers this weekend. Rather than a bbq, I'm pulling out my turkey fryer and a cpl gallons of oil and telling people to bring what they would like to deep fry. I've never deep fried anything other than fish and chips and turkeys. Anyone have ideas on creative deep-fry items and/or batters they would like to share ?

So far I'm planning:
Tempura veggies
Pickles - maybe Kimchee too
Chicken wings
Cheese curds


(oof this already sounds like I'm going to feel sick...)

I love this idea, sounds like a great time...

-beer batter mushrooms would be on my list in addition to the things you listed.

How about a deep fried Mars bar?

http://www.recipezaar.com/43463

Or a Twinkie:

http://www.degraeve.com/reference/recipes/twinkies.php

Or a Scotch Egg:

http://www.breakfast-and-brunch-recipes ... ecipe.html

I really love beer battered cod:

http://www.chefdecuisine.com/seafood/co ... ILLETS.asp

Arancini are traditionally pan fried. But what the hell, i'm sure they can be deep fried, too.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/ ... ISO-235445

Samosas. You can do a pretty good version (IMO) with ready made pie crust, boiled potato, and peas mixed with an Indian chili "pickle." Add some cooked meat to a few of them as well. A thought.

Deep fried pickles.

Get a not too strong pickle, cut into thin spears, cut them in half lengthwise, make a basic plain batter like you'd make for fish or anything else, make a spicy ketchup-mayo dipping sauce.

This Emeril recipe isn't bad, but you could streamline both. It's a simple and wonderful thing.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emer ... index.html

bacon

Ooh, samosas, I just might crash the party.

Actually other small pastries such as empanadas or jamaican meat pies are a good idea too.

Deep fried pickle spears? I've only had them as chips.

How about olives: Large pitted kalamatas stuffed with goat cheese (flavored with herbs is nice), flour, egg and cornmeal = raindeer droppings

Arancini are wonderful: Make risotto, cool it, roll it in balls around a piece of fontina, then roll in bread crumbs. Don't make them too big.
Use the same sort of technique (eliminating the roll-into-balls phase - just slice it) with mac-n-cheese.

Maybe dates, stuffed with a not-too-melty cheese (maybe feta?) wrapped in bacon?

Adding on to my own list, I'm going to do some deep fried slices of macaroni and cheese...

maybe some pork belly wrapped around something...

You could also try deep frying things without batter: sage leaves and kale come to mind...

Bacon-wrapped, stuffed jalapeno shooters.

Beer-battered mashed potato balls has always been my favorite.

Doughnuts.

Kennyz wrote:bacon

Bacon, yes, bacon, of course bacon.

I've made Fried Pork Wrapped Garlic a few times, incredibly delicious, incredibly indulgent. Bacon tempura sounds a good plan as well.

Fried Pork Wrapped Garlic

Thanks for the ideas! The party was yesterday and it was a total blast. People were really creative and it was fun having everyone participate. If I had to change anything it would be to do it at someone else's house so I didn't have to clean up. BBQ = much easier cleanup.

This was the lineup, in order:
Homemade tortilla chips
Sweet potato fries
Mixed fried veggies ( Zucchini, Yellow squash, Shitake mushrooms, eggplant )
Corn on the cob (1" discs)
Wasabi marinated Green beans
Chicken wings
Pickle spears
Hot and sweet pickled peppers
Crab and cream cheese dumplings
Bacon and cream cheese dumplings
Bratwurst and andouille corn dogs
Deep fried macaroni and cheese (Cut refrigerated mac and cheese into wedges)
Deep fried deep dish pizza
Fried pork belly/steamed garlic ( Thanks G Wiv - was awesome)
Twinkies
Snickers bars
Little debbie snack pies (totally disgusting - do NOT recommend =) )



I have had enough fried food to last me till next year at least.

"I have had enough fried food to last me till next year at least."

If your arteries last that long...

Good luck.