Ingredients
Main
- 1 kgbull calf testicles, fresh
To soak
- cold salted water
- or 500 ml milk or buttermilk
Coating
- 150 gplain flour
- 100 gfine cornmeal
- 2 tspsalt
- 1 tspblack pepper
- 1 tspgarlic powder
- 1 tspcayenne
- 1 tsppaprika
To bind
- 2eggs, beaten with 100 ml milk
To fry
- oil, for deep frying
To serve
- cocktail sauce
- lemon wedges
- hot sauce
- beer
Directions
- Drain them and pat them completely dry. Now slice them thinly, about 5 mm.
- Slice them thin. Thick pieces stay chewy in the middle and the whole appeal is a crisp coating around a tender slice.
- Chill the slices for 30 minutes, which firms them and makes them far easier to handle. Mix the flour, cornmeal and all the seasonings.
- Season the coating aggressively, because there is a great deal of plain meat to carry. Press the coating on firmly and shake off the loose excess.
- Let the coated slices sit for 10 minutes so the coating sets. Heat the oil to 190°C (375°F).
- Fry them in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes only, until deep golden. Two to three minutes and no more. Drain on a rack rather than paper. Salt them immediately while they are hot.
- Serve them hot with cocktail sauce, lemon and hot sauce. The texture is soft and slightly springy, and the flavour is mild and faintly liver-like rather than strong.
Technique
- Lamb and pig testicles are prepared the same way and are eaten in many countries.
- They are seasonal, appearing around spring branding.
- Butchers will often peel them on request, which saves the worst of the work.
Substitutions
- Lamb fries, which are smaller and milder.
- Buttermilk in place of the salted water soak.
Variations
- Marinated in beer before coating.
- Grilled rather than fried, which is done at some festivals.
- Sliced thicker and pan fried in butter.
History
A by-product of spring branding and castration on western cattle ranches; Colorado and Montana towns hold testicle festivals around the tradition.
Frequently asked questions
What is Rocky Mountain oysters?
Rocky Mountain oysters is a snack from United States: sliced, battered and deep-fried bull calf testicles served with cocktail sauce. A by-product of spring branding and castration on western cattle ranches; Colorado and Montana towns hold testicle festivals around the tradition.
How long does Rocky Mountain oysters take to make?
Rocky Mountain oysters takes 40 min plus 2 hr soaking of preparation and 20 min of cooking. The recipe makes 6 servings. It is rated medium to make.
What can I substitute in Rocky Mountain oysters?
Yes, within limits. Lamb fries, which are smaller and milder. Buttermilk in place of the salted water soak.
What is the most important thing to get right in Rocky Mountain oysters?
Slice them thin. Thick pieces stay chewy in the middle and the whole appeal is a crisp coating around a tender slice.
