Best Herby Fried Shallot And Bread Crumb Crunch Recipes

TORN CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. For more teeth-friendly croutons, remove the crusts from the bread, then cut the loaf into inch-thick slices. Cut each slice into inch-wide strips. Working over a large bowl, tear each strip into inch-size pieces. Alternatively, you can tear croutons directly off the loaf, as long as you get somewhat evenly sized pieces.
• Toss croutons with olive oil to coat them evenly, then spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Use a second sheet as needed to prevent crowding, which will entrap steam and keep the croutons from browning.
• Toast croutons for about 18 to 22 minutes, checking them after 8 minutes. Rotate the pans, switch their oven positions, and use a metal spatula to turn and rotate the croutons so that they brown evenly. Once they begin to brown, check them every few minutes, continuing to turn and rotate. Some croutons might be done when others still need a few more minutes of baking, so remove them from the tray and let the rest finish cooking. Bake the croutons until they're golden brown and crunchy on the outside, with just a tiny bit of chew on the inside.
• Taste a crouton and adjust the seasoning with a light sprinkling of salt if needed. Let croutons cool in a single layer on the baking sheet. Use immediately or keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To refresh stale croutons, bake for 3 to 4 minutes at 400 degrees.

CRISPY FRIED SHALLOTS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, heat oil until it registers 275 degrees on a deep-frying thermometer. Add shallots and cook, stirring, until light golden brown, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer shallots to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
• Increase heat to high and place a fine-mesh sieve over a heatproof bowl. When oil reaches 350 degrees on the thermometer, add the fried shallots and cook just until they are crisp and well-browned, a few seconds, watching carefully so they do not burn.
• Immediately pour oil and shallots through sieve to stop cooking, then transfer shallots to paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve oil for another use. Shallots will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day.

CRISPY SHALLOTS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Add the shallots and oil to a large saucepan. Cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the oil bubbles intensely, about 7 minutes; turn heat to medium-low to maintain a spirited simmer. 6 minutes later, add the garlic. Cook, stirring often, and more frequently as it darkens, until the shallots turn from sticky to fluffy and medium golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes later.
• Strain, keeping the oil, and drain the shallots and garlic in one layer on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Season with salt, and let cool until crisp. Fried chips will hold in an airtight container for 3 days, or for 2 months in the refrigerator. The oil, which is great for dressings or drizzling, holds for 2 months in the refrigerator.

DAVID TANIS'S CRISPY FRIED SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Put oil in a small saucepan. Add shallots and place pot over medium heat. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes (turn down heat if they seem to be coloring too quickly), until they gradually become brown.
• Place a fine-meshed sieve over a bowl. Transfer shallots to sieve and let drain well. (Save oil for another purpose.) Blot shallots on paper towels. They will become crisp as they cool. Sprinkle lightly with salt.

FRIED SAGE SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the shallots and vinegar, and set aside for 15 minutes to soften. In a medium bowl, combine parsley, olive oil and a generous pinch of salt. Set aside.
• Pour the neutral oil into a medium saucepan and set over medium-high heat. After 2 minutes, add a sage leaf to test the temperature. (The oil should be around 360 degrees.) When the sage leaf sizzles, add the rest of the sage and stir with a slotted spoon or spider. As soon as the bubbles subside, after about 20 seconds, remove the herbs from the oil and spread them out onto the prepared baking sheet. Season lightly with salt. The sage will get crisp as it cools.
• Just before serving, use a slotted spoon to add the shallots (but not the vinegar, yet) to the parsley oil. Stir, taste and add salt and vinegar as needed to achieve a nice tang. Crumble and stir the sage into the salsa. The final sauce should be loose enough to drizzle from a spoon, so adjust with a little more oil if needed, then taste and adjust with salt and vinegar one last time before serving. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. It makes an excellent accompaniment for Thanksgiving dishes, as well as any other roasted meats, vegetables or grilled fish.