Idaho® Potato Pig Fries
t’s time to replace your run-of-the-mill fry recipe with Chef Eric Gallerstein’s Idaho® Potato Pig Fries. This crispy and flavorful dish is a popular staple at the Mastiff Sausage Company in San Diego, California and appeals to the die-hard meat lovers that grace the restaurant each day.
Classic Idaho russets are transformed into super crispy rounds and topped with a zesty Harissa Aioli, fresh cilantro, cotija cheese, heavenly slow-roasted pork belly, pastor sausage, and carnitas for a delicious south of the border taste. Guests will love this dish as an appetizer before their main course or even as the main course itself!
Ingredients:
- 6 lbs Idaho® Russet Potatoes, cut in ¼-inch slices
- 1 cup salt
- 6 tablespoons white vinegar
- Oil for frying
Harissa Aioli
- 2 tablespoons coriander seed
- 2 tablespoons fennel seed
- 2 tablespoons cumin seed
- 2 tablespoons caraway seed
- 6 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup chipotle chilies in adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cup canola oil
Toppings
- 12 oz Cotija cheese
- 1 pound prepared carnitas, warmed
- 1 pound cooked sausage such as chorizo, warmed
- 1 pound cooked pork belly or bacon
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Directions:
- Combine potatoes, salt and white vinegar in a saucepan; add water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil; simmer until potatoes are fork tender but do not fall apart. Drain. Spread in single layer on a parchment lined sheet pan and freeze overnight.
- To prepare the Harissa Aioli, grind spices in a high-speed blender, spice grinder or coffee grinder. Combine spices, egg yolks and next 9 ingredients (chilies through pepper) in blender or food processer. Gradually add oil while blending until mixture thickens to the consistency of mayonnaise. Keep refrigerated.
- To prepare the Pig Fries, heat a fryer or 2-3 inches of oil to 350°F in a deep saucepan. Let potatoes thaw for about 15 minutes (8 ounces per serving). Fry to a deep golden brown. Drain.
- Shingle a portion of potatoes on a serving plate. Drizzle with about 2 tablespoons Harissa Aioli. Top with about 1 ounce (1/4 cup) of each of the toppings, starting with the Cotija cheese and ending with the pork belly or bacon. Drizzle with about 2 more tablespoons Aioli. Garnish with 1 tablespoon cilantro.
Yield: 12
Source:
Eric Gallerstein
Mastiff Sausage Company
San Diego, CA