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Sriracha Cheese Curds with Avocado Ranch

By
Jessica Battilana
Jessica Battilana
Jessica Battilana is a food writer, recipe developer and sought-after chef co-author. Her first solo cookbook, "Repertoire," came out in 2018.
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Published 03/5/21
Sriracha Cheese Curds with Avocado Ranch

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

If you think mozzarella sticks with marinara are the pinnacle of the fried cheese pantheon, prepare to have your mind blown by Tommy Begnaud, who was the chef at Minneapolis’ now-shuttered Coup d’État restaurant.

Whey and cheddar cheese curds, which squeak when you chew them, are something of a Midwestern obsession. Begnaud enrobes the nuggets in a beer batter that’s generously spiked with Sriracha, then fries them until golden and crispy outside, with a molten cheddar center. In place of red sauce, he makes a green one—a ranch-style dressing with avocado and cilantro.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup rice flour

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 12 ounces light-bodied beer (such as Budweiser)

  • 1/2 cup Sriracha chile sauce

  • 1 pound white cheddar cheese curds

  • Canola oil, for frying

  • Avocado ranch*

Steps

Serves 4-6

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rice flour, salt and baking powder.

  2. Whisk in the beer, then the Sriracha, until the batter is smooth.

  3. Add the cheese curds, ensuring they’re well-coated.

  4. Line a plate with paper towels and set nearby.

  5. Heat a 3-inch depth of oil in a heavy-bottom pot until it registers 350 degrees on a deep-frying thermometer.

  6. When the oil is hot, use your fingers to pull half of the cheese curds from the batter, making sure they’re well-covered with batter.

  7. Carefully drop the curds into the hot oil and fry until deep golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

  8. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and let drain on the paper-towel-lined plate.

  9. Repeat with the remaining cheese curds, letting the oil come to temperature between batches.

  10. Serve hot, accompanied by the avocado ranch.

*Avocado ranch: In a food processor, combine 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro, 1/4 of a ripe avocado, 1/2 a small jalapeño chile (stemmed, seeded and chopped), 1 1/2 teaspoons finely minced fresh ginger, and the zest and juice of 1 lime, and process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.