
A historical side dish from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). Asparagus, celery, egg-plant, oyster plant are all fine when fried in this manner.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
Boil the cauliflower till about half done
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Mix two tablespoonfuls of flour with two yolks of eggs
Add water enough to make a rather thin paste
Add salt to taste
Beat the two whites till stiff and mix with the yolks, flour and water
Dip each branch of the cauliflower into the mixture
Fry in hot fat
When done, take off with a skimmer, turn into a colander, dust salt all over and serve warm
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
Par-boiling the cauliflower softens its dense structure and removes excess moisture, preventing a soggy coating. The egg white foam acts as a leavening agent, creating an airy, crispy batter when it hits hot oil—the trapped air bubbles expand and the proteins coagulate quickly, forming a delicate crust. Separating the eggs and whipping the whites incorporates air pockets that make the coating light and tempura-like rather than dense and heavy.
The cauliflower can be par-boiled up to 1 day ahead, cooled completely, and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Pat dry thoroughly before battering and frying. The batter must be made fresh just before frying to maintain the airiness of the whipped egg whites.
Fried cauliflower is best consumed immediately while the coating is crisp. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but the coating will soften. To revive, reheat in a 400°F oven on a wire rack for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and the exterior crisps slightly—avoid microwaving, which will make the coating rubbery.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The cauliflower can be par-boiled up to 1 day ahead, cooled completely, and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Pat dry thoroughly before battering and frying. The batter must be made fresh just before frying to maintain the airiness of the whipped egg whites.
Fried cauliflower is best consumed immediately while the coating is crisp. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but the coating will soften. To revive, reheat in a 400°F oven on a wire rack for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and the exterior crisps slightly—avoid microwaving, which will make the coating rubbery.