Yield: 4 Servings

Adapted from Betty Crocker

If you’re looking for a way to jazz up every day veggies, try this super-tasty recipe. It’s also delicious with green beans, cauliflower, zucchini or yellow squash. Elisha’s in Milford, NH (closed in 2010) served this with ranch dipping sauce.

• 1cup AP flour
• 1¼tsp baking powder
• ¼tsp salt
• ¼tsp garlic powder
• ¼tsp onion powder
• ¼tsp pepper
• 2TBS Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1cup regular or nonalcoholic beer
• 4cups fresh broccoli or cauliflower florets and/or zucchini slices
• vegetable oil for deep frying
• ½cup ranch or blue cheese dressing

In large bowl, mix flour, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, cheese and beer with whisk until smooth. Add broccoli and toss until well coated with batter.

In deep fryer or heavy saucepan, heat 2 to 3 inches oil to 375°F. Fry broccoli in batches 2 to 3 minutes, turning once, until golden-brown. Drain on paper towels.

Serve warm broccoli bites with ranch dressing for dipping.

Expert Tips:

Be sure to not crowd the fryer or pan, only frying several florets at a time.

Try beer-battering and deep-frying other vegetables, such as green beans, cauliflower florets or zucchini slices.