Fried Pickles

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup buttermilk
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 (16 ounce) jar dill pickle slices
• 1.5 cups fine cornmeal
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay™
• 0.25 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 quart oil for frying
• 1 (12 ounce) jar buttermilk ranch dressing

Steps

1. Line a plate with parchment paper or wax paper; set aside. Combine buttermilk, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish. Add pickles; set aside.
2. Place cornmeal, flour, seafood seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon Cajun seasoning in a large, resealable plastic bag; shake to combine. Add pickles, a few at a time, and shake gently to evenly coat with cornmeal mixture. Remove pickles; place on the prepared plate.
3. Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy deep skillet to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C).
4. Lower pickles carefully into the hot oil in batches. Fry until golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside with a moist interior, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining pickles.
5. Combine buttermilk ranch dressing and remaining ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning in a small bowl. Serve as a dipping sauce for warm fried pickles.