Fried Smelt And Vegetables With Skordalia Food

BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH SKORDALIA

Steps:

• Prepare the beef: Mix the olive oil, sliced garlic and marjoram in a baking dish. Add the beef and turn to coat, then cover and marinate at room temperature, turning occasionally, 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the skordalia: Smash and peel the garlic cloves; warm in a small saucepan with the olive oil over low heat until soft, about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, peel the potato and cut into chunks. Cover with water in a saucepan, season with salt and simmer over medium heat until tender, about 12 minutes. Transfer the potato to a bowl with a slotted spoon, reserving the cooking water, and mash with a potato masher.
• Blend the almonds in a food processor until smooth. Add about half of the softened garlic, 1/2 cup of the garlic-flavored oil, 1/3 cup potato cooking water, the vinegar and 3/4 teaspoon salt; puree until smooth. Add the potato and pulse just until creamy. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the marjoram and parsley.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove the beef from the marinade and scrape off any garlic (reserve the marinade). Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the marinade, then sear the beef until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted into the center of the beef registers 125 degrees, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.
• Slice the beef and serve with the skordalia. Top with the remaining garlic oil, softened garlic and more marjoram.

PAN-FRIED SMELTS

Steps:

• Rinse the smelts thoroughly and pat dry. Place the bread crumbs, salt and pepper into a large resealable bag and shake to combine. Place the lemon juice into a shallow dish. Dip the smelts into the juice and then place in the bag with the dry mixture and shake until the fish are well coated. You can coat 2 to 3 fish at a time, depending on their size.
• Place enough peanut oil into a 12-inch cast iron skillet just to cover the bottom of the pan. Place over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the smelts to the pan, 4 to 5 at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side until lightly browned and cooked through.

SAM'S SKORDALIA

Steps:

• Place about 1/8 cup of corn oil in the bottom, ready to catch food from the meat grinder. Add the garlic and potatoes to the grinder, alternating with the almonds. Transfer to a standing mixer fitted with the whip attachment, turn the mixer to a medium-high speed, and slowly drizzle in 1/3 of the remaining oil. Do not stop the mixer. Drizzle in 1/3 of the vinegar, then one-third of the seltzer. Repeat this process until all the ingredients are used. Season with the salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning, using salt and vinegar; add more seltzer if necessary to reach desired consistency.