Disco Zucchini Fries Food

SOUTHERN DISCO FRIES

Steps:

• For the fries: Prepare the French fries according to the package instructions.
• For the country ham gravy: Place a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the butter and ham. Cook, stirring frequently until the ham is crispy and the butter just starts to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the ham to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Add the flour to the pan and whisk to form a smooth paste. Continue to whisk while pouring in the stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the mustard, lemon juice and black pepper. Set aside in a warm area, until ready to serve.
• For the white cheese sauce: Pour the milk into a small saucepot over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Add the Cheddar, mozzarella and cornstarch and whisk until the cheese melts and a thick sauce is formed, about 3 minutes. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
• Spread the fries onto a large serving platter. Generously pour the gravy and cheese sauce over the fries. Sprinkle with the crispy country ham bits and green onion. Serve with lots of napkins.

DISCO ZUCCHINI FRIES

Steps:

• Adjust 2 oven racks to the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Put the wire racks in the baking sheets and coat each generously with cooking spray.
• Combine the flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large re-sealable plastic bag. Combine the eggs and 1/2 teaspoon salt in another large plastic bag; combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a third large plastic bag.
• Add about a half of the zucchini sticks to the bag with the flour and use a combination of your hands and shaking the bag to coat the zucchini. Remove the zucchini and shake off any excess flour. Transfer to the egg wash and repeat until coated. (It's less messy if you use only one hand for the dry ingredients and the other for the wet.) Let any excess egg drip off before transferring to the breadcrumb mixture; repeat until fully coated (you'll still see some green and white of the zucchini peeking through the breading). Transfer to the prepared baking sheets and coat the breaded zucchini generously with cooking spray (there's no need to turn them). Repeat with the remaining zucchini.
• Bake, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom about halfway through, until golden brown and tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Lower the oven to 350 degrees F and let the baking sheet cool for a few minutes. Remove the rack from one of the baking sheets and line the baking sheet with foil. Slide the fries onto the baking sheet and arrange them in four equal piles. Scatter both cheeses equally over the piles and bake until melted, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, warm the gravy. When the cheese is melted, use a spatula to lift each batch of cheese fries and place it on its own plate. Drizzle the gravy over the cheese fries and top with the bacon and scallions.

JERSEY DINER DISCO FRIES

Steps:

• Place the potato wedges in a large bowl and cover with ice water. Let stand for at least 30 minutes and up to an hour. Drain the potatoes well. In batches, dry the potatoes on kitchen towels and let them sit for 30 minutes more to absorb any remaining moisture.
• Fill a fryer or a large, heavy saucepan with 5 inches of oil. Place over high heat and bring the oil up to 315 degrees F. Set a wire rack on a sheet pan and place near the fryer or stove.
• In batches to avoid crowding, add the potato wedges and fry, shaking them in the basket to separate them, or if in a large pot, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Cook until the potato wedges are pale gold and slightly floppy, about 4 minutes. They should not be browned at this point. Remove from the oil with a wire skimmer and transfer to the wire rack to drain. Bring the oil back up to 315 degrees F and repeat with the remaining potato wedges. Remove the saucepan from the heat and set aside?do not throw out the oil. Let the potato wedges stand until completely cooled, at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours.
• Meanwhile, prepare the gravy. In a high-sided skillet or medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and melt. Sprinkle the flour in the pan and cook, whisking until light brown, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the chicken stock and Worcestershire sauce. Continue whisking until there are no lumps. Let the gravy come to a bubble and cook until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat and hold there, whisking regularly to keep it from sticking. Now it's time to finish the French fries.
• Reheat the fry oil over high heat to 350 degrees F. In batches to avoid overcrowding, add the potato wedges to the hot oil and deep-fry until crisp and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a sheet pan and keep warm in a 200 degree F oven, if needed, while you fry the remaining potato wedges. Season with salt.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Arrange the potato wedges on a baking sheet or oven-proof platter. Pour the gravy over the top of the potato wedges and top with the shredded mozzarella. Place the baking sheet under the broiler until the cheese has melted, about 1 minute.

BAKED PARMESAN ZUCCHINI FRIES

Steps:

• Adjust 2 oven racks to the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Put the wire racks in the baking sheets and coat each generously with cooking spray.
• Combine the flour and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a large re-sealable plastic bag. Combine the eggs and 3/4 teaspoon salt in another large plastic bag; combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a third large plastic bag.
• Add about a half of the zucchini sticks to the bag with the flour and use a combination of your hands and shaking the bag to coat the zucchini. Remove the zucchini and shake off any excess flour. Transfer to the egg wash and repeat until coated. (It's less messy if you use only one hand for the dry ingredients and the other for the wet.) Let any excess egg drip off before transferring to the breadcrumb mixture; repeat until fully coated (you'll still see some green and white of the zucchini peeking through the breading). Transfer to the prepared baking sheets and coat the breaded zucchini generously with cooking spray (there's no need to turn them). Repeat with the remaining zucchini.
• Bake, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom about halfway through, until golden brown and tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with a little salt and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

DISCO FRIES

Steps:

• For the gravy: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine. Cook the flour until dark brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the stock and cook, whisking, until the mixture is smooth and thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in the sherry, Worcestershire, 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper, adjusting the seasoning to taste. Remove from the heat and cover by pressing a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the gravy, taking care to cover it completely to prevent a skin from forming. Set aside.
• For the fries: Bake the French fries according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• For the cheese sauce: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine. Cook until the mixture resembles sand, about 3 minutes. Add the milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture begins to boil and thicken, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the Cheddar and Gruyere and continue to cook, stirring, until the cheese is fully melted, another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the Worcestershire, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste and remove from the heat. Cover in the same fashion as the gravy and set aside until the French fries are ready.
• When the French fries are ready, transfer them to a serving platter. Drizzle the fries with the warm gravy and then with the warm cheese sauce. Serve immediately.