Yam And Plantain Curry With Crispy Shallots Recipes

ASARO (YAM AND PLANTAIN CURRY)

Steps:

• Heat a medium pot, large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium. Pour in the neutral oil, add the sliced shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until shallots are caramelized and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove shallots from the oil and allow to drain on paper towels or a cooling rack. Season with salt and set aside.
• Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the cooking oil out of the pot. (Reserve extra oil for another use.) Over medium-low heat, add the garlic, ginger and turmeric to the pot and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for an additional 2 minutes or until it begins to stick to the bottom of the pot.
• Drop in the chile and add the whole peeled tomatoes with their juices, crushing the whole tomatoes with your hands as they go in. Stir to combine ingredients and dissolve the tomato paste, then add 3 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Once boiling, season with salt, reduce heat to medium, add the yams and simmer until the yams are just beginning to soften, about 10 minutes. Add the plantains and cook until both are tender but hold their shape, and the liquid is slightly reduced and thickened, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Stir in the coconut milk and red palm oil, if using, season with more salt and let simmer for another 10 minutes. Add the greens and cook until tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
• To serve, remove and discard the cooked chile. Ladle the curry into bowls, top with the caramelized shallots, a scattering of basil and cilantro, and several squeezes of lime juice.

CRISPY SHALLOTS

Steps:

• In a large pot or deep fryer heat peanut oil until piece of shallot dropped in oil sizzles. Add shallots, stirring constantly, and fry until crisp and lightly browned. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider to drain on paper towels. Add salt to taste and toss. Let cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

CRISPY SHALLOTS ( INA GARTEN BACK TO BASICS)

Steps:

• Heat the oil and butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat until it reaches 220° on a candy thermometer.
• Reduce the heat to low, add the shallots, and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, until they are a rich golden brown. The temperature should stay below 260 degrees. Stir the shallots occasionally to make sure they brown evenly.
• Remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon, drain well and spread out to cool on paper towels.
• Once they have dried and crisped, they can be stored at room temperature, covered, for several days.