Lebanese Potatoes With Cilantro Sauce (Batata Harra)
- 4 russet or Idaho potatoes, peeled
- 4 cups vegetable oil for deep-frying
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon minced cilantro
- 2 tablespoons Aleppo pepper (or substitute 1 3/4 tablespoons paprika plus 1 teaspoon cayenne)
- Salt
- 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Cut the potatoes into half-inch cubes.
- Rinse under cold water until water runs clear.
- Drain and dry thoroughly on paper towels.
- Pour oil into a deep fryer, or a large, deep, frying pan, to 2 inches depth.
- Heat the oil to 300 degrees.
- Set aside a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
- Working in batches, if necessary, fry the potatoes until tender inside, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer potatoes from the oil to the baking sheet.
- Turn off the fryer, or if using a pan, remove from stove, but do not discard the oil.
- Allow potatoes to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate uncovered for two hours.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce.
- Heat the oil in a wide saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Stir in garlic, cover, and reduce heat to low.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and pale gold, about 3 minutes; do not allow to brown.
- Add cilantro and stir until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat, transfer to a large mixing bowl, and set aside.
- Remove potatoes from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, heat the deep-fryer or frying pan to 350 to 375 degrees.
- Set aside a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
- Pat potatoes with paper towels to be sure they are completely dry.
- Working in batches, if necessary, fry the potatoes until crisp and golden, 3 minutes or as needed.
- Transfer potatoes from the oil to the baking sheet.
- When all the potatoes are cooked, add to the bowl of sauce, and sprinkle with Aleppo pepper and salt to taste.
- Toss gently.
- Transfer mixture to a serving bowl, and garnish with minced parsley.
- Drizzle with lemon juice.
- If desired, serve with sliced tomatoes and scallions, or with fried, scrambled or poached eggs.
russet, vegetable oil, extravirgin olive oil, garlic, cilantro, pepper, salt, flatleaf parsley, lemon juice
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015506 (may not work)