Crispy Foods

Encasing our favourite food in crispy coatings can add an amazing dimension to some of the simplest foods. We have focussed our efforts on five different coatings:-

• breadcrumbs with herbs
• breadcrumbs with parmesan
• panko breadcrumbs
• chopped hazelnuts
• desiccated coconut

These crispy coatings are definitely a special treat as they can be quite calorific, but for those special occasions, nothing tops a crunchy outer shell. Here are five of our favourite crispy mains and starters.

Where possible we bake our crunchy coatings, but some dishes just don’t work without deep frying. So now and then, we suggest you treat yourself.

Chicken Goujons Wraps

This recipe is very filling and perfect for those big kids amongst you. The crispy chicken goujons are coated in natural breadcrumbs and Italian herbs to add a touch of sophistication.

The goujons are wrapped in a wheat tortilla with salad leaves, roast tomatoes and sliced avocados. The taste sensation is completed with creamy parmesan and garlic mayo.

For me, these are pretty filling but if you have a big appetite then combine these wraps with some sweet potato paprika-seasoned fries.

Crispy coatings are great for vegetarians too. Don't feel left out, replace the chicken goujons with courgette slices. These taste fantastic and to be honest I prefer them. If you’re cutting down on your meat intake or you are trying to save the planet, give these a try they taste amazing. If you are a strict vegetarian ensure you replace the parmesan with an appropriate veggie cheese.

These chicken and courgette goujons are oven-baked to try and keep the calories down, just watch out for the parmesan and garlic mayo!!

Baked Goats Cheese with Pear and Rocket Salad

This salad is a fantastic starter or an excellent light lunch. From a crispy coating perspective, it’s a little bit of a cheat, as there are two. The creamy goat's cheese sits on the first coating which is a crispy toasted ciabatta disc. The second coating is the chopped hazelnuts that form a neat topping over the cheese.

These cheesy discs sit on a bed of rocket with warm caramelised pears. The sweet pears and the creamy goat's cheese complement the acidic balsamic dressing. Click here for the recipe

Mozzarella Sticks with a Rich Sweet Tomato Sauce

These mozzarella sticks are a family favourite, both children and adults will love them. The secret to making the best-fried mozzarella is to use an extra crispy breadcrumb such as a panko crumb. These crumbs are incredibly light and very crispy.

To make this dish amazing requires the perfect Italian tomato sauce. A good tomato sauce has just the right amount of tartness delivered by the tomatoes and just the right amount of sweetness delivered by the torn basil.

Before cooking to ensure your sticks do not crack, pop them in the freezer for 30 minutes to cool. To complete the dish deep fry the mozzarella until golden brown and the cheese turns deliciously gooey.

Crispy Coconut Prawns in Tangy Mango Sauce

Last but not least, crispy coconut prawns. This coating is definitely one of my favourites, even though coconut is not one of my favourite ingredients. These prawns are traditionally an Indian dish, (but chopsticks are a great way to eat them). If you love scampi then you will adore this recipe.

The prawns are coated in desiccated coconut, deep fried and then served with a mango mayo. The mayo compliments the coconut prawns perfectly, a fantastic starter for any Indian meal.

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