FRIED TOMATILLOS WITH APPLE AND HAM

Fried Tomatillos With Apple and Ham image

Provided by Jose Garces

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

For the topping:
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
For the tomatillos:
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 1/2 teaspoons mustard powder
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
Vegetable oil, for frying
Jalapeno-Cilantro Aioli, for serving (see below)

Steps:

Make the topping: Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ham and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes; remove from the heat. 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.
Prepare the tomatillos: Soak the tomatillos in the buttermilk in a medium bowl; set aside. 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.
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. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; sprinkle with salt. Serve topped with the apple-ham mixture and the aioli.
Jalapeno-Cilantro Aioli
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. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil and process until thick.