Fried Tomatillos With Apple and Ham

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup finely chopped good-quality ham
• 1/2 Gala apple, cut into matchsticks
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 4 medium tomatillos, husked, rinsed and cut into wedges
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup fine yellow cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Jalapeno-Cilantro Aioli, for serving (see below)

1. Make the topping: Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the ham and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes; remove from the heat.
3. Add the apple, vinegar, honey, shallot, parsley, chives, rosemary, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to the skillet and toss; set aside.
4. Prepare the tomatillos: Soak the tomatillos in the buttermilk in a medium bowl; set aside.
5. Whisk the flour, cornmeal, parsley, mustard powder, onion powder, garlic powder, turmeric, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.
6. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Working in batches, remove the tomatillos from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off; dredge in the flour mixture to fully coat, then fry until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
7. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; sprinkle with salt.
8. Serve topped with the apple-ham mixture and the aioli.
9. Jalapeno-Cilantro Aioli
10. Combine 1 cup roughly chopped cilantro, 1 chopped seeded jalapeno pepper, 1 large pasteurized egg yolk, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 1 garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper in a food processor; blend until smooth.
11. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil and process until thick.
12. Photograph by Jason Varney

extravirgin olive oil, ham, apple, apple cider vinegar, honey, shallot, parsley, fresh chives, fresh rosemary, thyme, kosher salt, buttermilk, allpurpose, yellow cornmeal, parsley, mustard powder, onion powder, garlic, ground turmeric, kosher salt, vegetable oil, cilantro

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/fried-tomatillos-with-apple-and-ham.html (may not work)