Charred Shallots With Labneh And Pita Recipes

CHARRED SHALLOTS WITH LABNEH AND PITA

Steps:

• Peel shallots and halve lengthwise through root end. Peel onion and cut into 2-inch chunks. Thread shallots and onion chunks onto metal or pre-soaked bamboo skewers. Thread garlic cloves onto a separate skewer. (If you're using the oven, skip skewering and see note on how to prepare the vegetables.)
• Light or heat one side of grill. Leave the other side bare for indirect grilling. (If using a charcoal grill, mound coals to one side.) Lightly brush skewers with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and place over bare side of the grill for indirect heat. Cover and cook, turning occasionally, until the garlic is soft, 30 to 35 minutes.
• When the garlic is soft, remove from grill or oven. Transfer onion and shallot to the hottest part of the grill (add more coals if necessary) and continue cooking, turning occasionally, until onions are almost tender and well charred in spots, 15 to 20 minutes more.
• When cool enough to handle, coarsely chop onion and shallot and place in a large bowl. Mash garlic and add to bowl. Toss in remaining 4 tablespoons oil, the chopped parsley and mint, the preserved lemon, the lemon juice and the salt and pepper. Taste and add more salt, olive oil and/or lemon juice as needed. This mixture should be highly seasoned.
• Spread labneh or yogurt on a large platter. Spoon onion mixture over surface. Drizzle with additional oil, and tear mint and parsley leaves and scatter over top. Sprinkle with sumac. Serve with grilled pita.

BAKED PITA CHIPS WITH CHARRED THREE ONION DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the olive oil, 1/2 tablespoon salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk together. Brush the seasoned oil on the first pita, stack another pita on top and repeat until you have 3 pitas. Repeat, making a second stack.
• Use a knife to cut the stack into 8 wedges. Repeat with the second stack. Arrange the chips in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Flip and bake until golden and toasted, another 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle the chips with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon salt as soon as you remove them from the oven. Serve with the Charred Three Onion Dip.
• Slice the onion into 4 wedges. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the scallions and onions with olive oil. Grill until they are softened and the outside is charred, about 5 minutes for the scallions and 10 minutes for the onions. Chop the scallions and slice the onions very thin. Put in a bowl. Add the sour cream, mascarpone, Worcestershire, lemon juice, salt, pepper, chives and hot sauce and mix together. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

STEAK & STICKY RED WINE SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Simmer the shallots in a pan of water for 2-3 mins, then drain and set aside. Season the steaks with a little salt and plenty of crushed peppercorns. Heat half the butter in a pan until sizzling, then cook the steaks for 3 mins on each side for medium or until done to your liking.
• Remove the steaks and keep warm. While they rest, add the remaining butter to the pan, throw in the shallots, then sizzle in the sticky pan until starting to brown. Add the balsamic vinegar and bubble for a few mins. Add the wine and boil down until sticky, then add the beef stock and simmer until everything comes together. Spoon the shallots over the steaks and serve withgreen beans and chips.