1quartstrawberries(wipe clean with damp paper towel)
Instructions
Make Dipping Sugar
Finely grate the zest from half the orange. Combine 2 oz granulated sugar with the zest and grated 2 oz semi-sweet chocolate in a small bowl. Toss with a fork to combine. Set aside.
Fry the strawberries
Heat 2 quarts vegetable oil in a heavy pan.
Combine 4 ½ oz cake flour, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar and ¼ teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine the ingredients. Combine 4 oz vodka and 4 oz seltzer water. Pour the seltzer/vodka into the flour, mix until partially combined. Pour half the whisked egg into the batter (save the rest of the egg for another use). Stir just until the ingredients are combined.
When the oil reaches 400 °F you're ready to fry. Lift a strawberry by the leaf and dip into the batter. Carefully lower the strawberry into the oil. Fry for just a minute until the coating is crisp and lightly browned. Drain on a rack set over a sheet pan. Fry a few strawberries at a time. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
Serve while still hot with the dipping sugar.
Notes
If you don't have vodka or don't like to use alcohol, use 1 cup of seltzer water instead of a 1/2 cup of each.