French Fry Skordalia Recipes

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Season the water with salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until very tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water in the saucepan.
• To the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, add the almonds, garlic, oregano and 2 teaspoons salt. Process to a paste. With the machine running, add the lemon juice, vinegar and olive oil in a slow steady stream until very smooth. Add the drained potatoes and pulse to combine. Add 1 cup of the reserved potato cooking liquid. Pulse to bring together and then process until just smooth and light, adding more water if needed (the consistency should be similar to hummus). Taste and season with salt, if needed.
• Transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with chili oil. Serve with vegetables and pita chips for dipping.
• Heat a grill pan or gas or charcoal grill over medium-high heat.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and olive oil and heat until shimmering, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chives, dill, red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine and cook for 1 to 2 more minutes until infused. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
• Liberally brush the pita breads with oil on both sides, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the oiled breads onto the hot grill to sear and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Brush the grilled pita breads with the herby butter and season with sumac and flaky salt, if desired. Cut into wedges and serve as dippers with the skordalia.

Steps:

• Broil 2 large red bell peppers, turning, until charred, 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover and let steam 20 minutes. Remove the skin, stems and seeds. Puree the peppers in a blender with 1/4 cup each blanched almonds and lemon juice and 6 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, cook 2 russet potatoes (peeled and cut into chunks) and 6 smashed garlic cloves in salted simmering water until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain and return to the pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until dry, 2 minutes; remove from the heat and mash. Fold in the pepper puree. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice and top with chives.

Steps:

• Set the oven to broil with a rack set about 4 inches from the heat source.
• Peel the zest away from the lemon in long strips, avoiding the white pith. Place the lemon zest, rosemary sprigs and oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and heat until the oil just comes to a simmer, about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to sit at room temperature while you prepare the soup.
• Melt the butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the white and light green parts of the scallions (about 1/2 cup) and the garlic. Cook until softened, stirring constantly, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth, 2 cups water and the French fries, bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer uncovered until the potatoes soften and start to break apart in the broth, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, strain the rosemary and lemon strips from the oil. Juice the lemon and whisk into the strained oil. Season with salt and pepper. Brush some of the oil onto the halved baguette, place on a baking sheet and broil until lightly golden brown, about 3 minutes.
• Once the potatoes are fully softened, use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth. Season with additional salt if needed.
• To serve, ladle the soup into bowls. Top with a dollop of sour cream. Drizzle with some of the remaining rosemary-lemon oil and garnish with the dark scallion greens. Cut the baguette into smaller pieces and serve alongside the soup.

Steps:

• Bake the french fries as the label directs until crisp. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 4 minutes per side; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Cool slightly, then break the bacon into pieces. Make the dressing: Whisk the mustard, pickle, pickle juice, ketchup, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a large bowl. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Add the french fries, bacon, tomatoes, red onion, romaine and cheddar cheese to the bowl with the dressing and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the salad among bowls. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.
• Photograph by Charles Masters

Steps:

• Make the franks: Whisk the flour, cornmeal, sugar and paprika in a large bowl. Add the egg and milk and whisk to make a thick batter, adding more milk if the mixture is too dry. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste.
• Heat about 2 inches vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Dip the franks in the batter, then carefully wrap a long curly fry around each. (If desired, thread the franks on wooden skewers before wrapping with fries.)
• Working in batches, fry the franks in the hot oil, turning, until golden on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; sprinkle with salt.
• Meanwhile, make the dip: Whisk the Sriracha, lime juice and mayonnaise in a bowl. Serve with the franks.