So, you thought deep-fried Mars Bars were unhealthy? A Scottish bar serves up deep-fried butter. It’s been dubbed a ‘coronary on a plate’ and is unlikely to be found on any fine-dining menu.
But chefs at one Edinburgh bar are confident their calorie-drenched answer to the deep-fried Mars bar – battered butter balls – will be a real hit with the customers.Already popular in the US, the dessert has been given a Scottish twist by cooking the balls in Irn Bru batter.
The Fiddler’s Elbow is serving the pudding for what is thought to be the first time in Scotland. Called Braveheart Butter Bombs, the pudding is accompanied with an Irn Bru ice cream and coulis. A
variation featuring deep-fried whisky instead of Irn Bru will also be offered.
While critics have dubbed deep-fried butter a ‘coronary on a plate’, the chefs said it should be all right in moderation. The dishes have been devised by Simon Robertson, The Fiddler’s Elbow head chef, with the help of Paul Fitchie, a former chef with Harvey Nichols.
Mr Robertson said: ‘We thought we’d add a bit of fun to our menu of Scottish dishes and it’s really got people talking.
‘Some folk are saying it’s a heart attack on a plate and, okay, it’s not exactly health food but as long as you’re not having it every day it shouldn’t be any problem.’
The dessert is made by freezing balls of butter before dipping them in batter soaked with Irn Bru. These are then submerged in bubbling hot oil until browned.
Oliver Scott, who runs The Fiddler’s Elbow, said: ‘It might not be too nutritious but it’s definitely delicious.
‘We’ve been trying it out on volunteers who are loving it. It actually tastes lighter than you’d expect, it’s a bit like eating a banana fritter but nicer and obviously a bit naughtier.
‘We hope it will help cheer people up in a time of gloom. ‘We know that when things are tough economically people like to treat themselves to a little comfort food and this is the ultimate indulgence – so long as people don’t overdo it.’
Other deep-fried delights include:
- Turkey – Popping a plump bird into a vat of oil has been a longtime favourite in the Southern United States.
- French Fry-coated hot dog – Combining two American classics is a popular choice in South Korea.
- Krispy Kreme bacon cheddar cheeseburger – Take one deep-fried donut, then add meat pattie, bacon and melted cheese.
- Coca Cola – Frozen Coke-flavoured batter is deep-fried and then topped with cola syrup, whipped cream, cinnamon sugar and finished off with a cherry on the top.