Stir Fried Julienned Potatoes With Chili Pepper Food

SICHUAN STIR-FRIED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel and julienne the potatoes. Soak them in fresh, cold water a couple times (until you can soak them and the water is somewhat clear). Drain and set aside, but don't let them sit longer than 20 minutes, as they'll turn brown.
• Heat oil in a wok over medium heat, and add the Sichuan peppercorns (make sure they don't burn). When the peppercorns are fragrant, turn off the heat and scoop all the peppercorns out, leaving the oil in the wok. Discard the used peppercorns.
• Over medium heat, add the ginger, garlic and chilies to the oil. Cook for a minute, and add the potatoes and julienned peppers. Turn the heat up to high and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add the soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, chicken stock (or water), and salt. Stir-fry everything for a minute and cover for 45 seconds. Uncover, stir in the scallions, and serve!

JULIENNED POTATOES LYONNAISE

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and drop into cold water to prevent discoloration. Using shredding disk of food processor or hand grater, grate potatoes as finely as possible. There should be about six cups. Drop grated potatoes into basin of cold water and set aside.
• Cut the onion in half lengthwise. Cut each half crosswise into very thin slices. There should be about one cup.
• Heat oil in nonstick 10-inch or 11-inch skillet. When oil is hot, drain potatoes, pat dry and add them to skillet. Add salt and pepper. Cook over high heat, shaking skillet and stirring, so potatoes cook evenly, about 10 minutes. Add butter. Toss and stir. Continue cooking about 2 minutes. Add onions. Toss and stir to blend thoroughly. Continue cooking, tossing and stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes.
• Using back of wooden spoon, press potato mixture to flatten well. Cook over moderately high heat about 2 minutes or until browned on bottom.
• Invert a round plate slightly larger than circumference of the skillet on top of skillet. Quickly turn skillet over so potatoes fall into the plate. Slip potatoes browned side up, back into skillet. Press down with back of wooden spoon.
• Cook on second side until nicely browned, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

VEGGIE STIR-FRY WITH POTATOES

Steps:

• Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Boil on medium-high heat until tender but still intact, about 15 minutes. Drain.
• Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low and add pea pods. Add cooked potatoes and increase heat to medium. Cook 5 to 7 minutes more.
• Add bok choy, bean sprouts, and spinach to the pan. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low; cook about 5 minutes. Add soy sauce and ginger. Cook, uncovered, until juices evaporate and leaves are wilted, about 5 minutes more. Season with salt.

HOT AND NUMBING STIR-FRIED NEW POTATOES

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cool water by 2 inches. Season heavily with salt. (The water should taste like very salty seawater once the salt has dissolved.) Place over high heat, bring to a boil and cook until there's no resistance when a knife or cake tester is poked through the largest potato, about 10 minutes after they come to a boil. Drain potatoes and spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet to air-dry.
• While the potatoes cook, make the spice blend: In a small bowl, shake the Sichuan peppercorns and discard any shiny black seeds, twigs or leaf fragments. Add the husks to a dry wok, along with the star anise, fennel seeds, white peppercorns and half the cumin seeds. Toast over medium heat, tossing frequently, until very aromatic, about 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a small bowl to cool slightly. Return wok to heat and add remaining cumin seeds and the chiles. Toss and stir until very aromatic, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a second small bowl.
• When cool, transfer the spice mixture in the first bowl, along with the 2 chiles from the second bowl to an electric spice grinder or a mortar and pestle. Add salt, sugar and chicken bouillon. Grind to a fine powder and return to the empty bowl.
• Add the cumin seeds that toasted with the chiles to the spice grinder or the mortar (no need to clean it out) and pound or pulse until very coarsely ground. (There should be large, distinct pieces of cumin seeds.) Add half-ground cumin and the sesame seeds to the rest of the spice mixture and stir to incorporate.
• Stir-fry the potatoes: When potatoes are dry, heat 3 tablespoons oil in the wok over high heat until shimmering. Add potatoes and cook, stirring and tossing frequently, until browned in spots, about 4 minutes.
• Clear a small space in the center of the wok and add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to it. Immediately add the garlic, scallions and spice mixture to the oil and stir until aromatic, about 15 seconds. Toss everything until the potatoes are thoroughly coated in spices, about 15 seconds. Season to taste with more salt as desired. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.