Artichoke Fennel And Lemon Fritto Misto Food

FRITO MISTO OF ARTICHOKES AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with water, and add lemon juice. Peel away outer leaves of artichokes, leaving tender pale green leaves. Peel stems, and cut off spiny tops of leaves. Cut lengthwise into quarters. Immediately add artichokes to water.
• Slice fennel bulb in half through the root. Slice each half crosswise, about 1/4 inch thick. Slices should be half-moon shapes. Place fennel in a medium bowl, and set aside. In a small bowl, combine cheese, garlic and parsley. Toss gently to mix.
• In a large deep pan, heat oil over medium-low heat to 275 degrees. Drain artichokes, and dry completely with a dish towel. Add artichokes to oil, and cook until they begin to open and brown. Remove from pan, and let drain on paper towels.
• Raise heat to medium-high or 350 degrees. Pour milk over fennel, and place flour in a medium bowl. Strain fennel, then toss lightly in flour to coat. Drop fennel and artichokes into oil, and fry until golden brown and crispy. Using a strainer, remove from oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Let drain for 30 seconds, then transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle parsley mixture and a little olive oil over artichoke mixture. Season with salt. Toss briefly to combine ingredients. Transfer to a serving bowl or platter, with lemon wedges.

ARTICHOKE, FENNEL, AND LEMON FRITTO MISTO

Steps:

• To separate artichoke bottoms, slice off upper two-thirds of each bulb, and discard. Snap off tough outer leaves; scoop out bristly choke with a spoon. Using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, remove green skin from around white center. Thinly slice bottoms.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the artichoke bottoms, fennel, lemons, and buttermilk to coat evenly. Place flour in a separate bowl, and season with salt and pepper; whisk to combine.
• Pour the oil into a heavy, deep-sided skillet or deep fryer; place over medium-high heat until it registers 370 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Drain vegetables and lemons, discarding liquid.
• Working with one piece at a time, dredge vegetables and lemon in flour, and carefully place in the hot oil. Cook 6 to 7 pieces at a time until golden brown, about 3 minutes.
• Using kitchen tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer vegetables and lemons to drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. As soon as each batch is done, sprinkle with salt, and serve immediately.

FRITTO MISTO

Steps:

• For the sauce: Combine the basil, pistachios, olive oil, lemon zest and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until roughly pureed. Remove the contents to a small bowl and stir in the mayonnaise and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Season with the salt.
• For the seafood: Fill a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven with 3 inches of oil and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Whisk together the rice flour, cornstarch, polenta, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Working in batches, dredge the shrimp and calamari in the flour mixture and add to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan and drop the temperature. Fry until light golden brown and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Use a spider to remove the seafood to a paper towel-lined tray and season with a pinch of salt. Continue with the remaining shrimp and calamari. Serve hot alongside the pesto dipping sauce and lots of lemon wedges.

FRITTO MISTO

Steps:

• Pour the oil into a heavy, deep-sided skillet or deep fryer; place over medium-high heat until it registers 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Pour buttermilk into a medium bowl.
• To prepare artichokes, snap off tough outer leaves. Slice off the upper two-thirds of each bulb, and discard. Use a vegetable peeler to remove green outer layer from around heart. Dip in buttermilk, and scoop out choke with a spoon. Thinly slice crosswise. Place in the buttermilk.
• Add the fennel and lemons, and stir to coat evenly. Place flour in a separate dish. Season generously with salt and pepper; whisk to combine.
• Remove vegetables and lemon slices, one piece at a time, from buttermilk, shaking off excess. Dredge in flour, and carefully transfer to the hot oil, 6 to 7 pieces at a time. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Dip parsley in buttermilk, and then in flour to coat. Carefully transfer to the hot oil, and fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds. As each batch is finished, transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Sprinkle with salt. Serve immediately.