SKORDALIA

Skordalia image

This is my take on traditional Greek skordalia, which is a sauce or dip typically made with pureed potatoes, loads of garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, parsley and sometimes breadcrumbs or ground nuts. When I was younger, my family would go out to Greek restaurants, and I would fill up on this and totally ruin the rest of my dinner-but it was 100% worth it.

Provided by Molly Yeh

Categories side-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

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Ingredients

2 russet potatoes (1 pound/453 grams), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
Kosher salt
2/3 cup (100 grams) blanched raw almonds
5 large garlic cloves (25 grams)
2 tablespoons (4 grams) fresh oregano leaves
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Chili oil, for drizzling
Cut vegetables, such as carrots, Persian cucumbers, bell peppers and radishes, for dipping
Pita chips, store-bought or homemade, recipe follows, for dipping
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
4 pita breads
Ground sumac, for serving
Flaky salt, for serving, optional

Steps:

Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Season the water with salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until very tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water in the saucepan.
To the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, add the almonds, garlic, oregano and 2 teaspoons salt. Process to a paste. With the machine running, add the lemon juice, vinegar and olive oil in a slow steady stream until very smooth. Add the drained potatoes and pulse to combine. Add 1 cup of the reserved potato cooking liquid. Pulse to bring together and then process until just smooth and light, adding more water if needed (the consistency should be similar to hummus). Taste and season with salt, if needed.
Transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with chili oil. Serve with vegetables and pita chips for dipping.
Heat a grill pan or gas or charcoal grill over medium-high heat.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and olive oil and heat until shimmering, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chives, dill, red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine and cook for 1 to 2 more minutes until infused. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
Liberally brush the pita breads with oil on both sides, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the oiled breads onto the hot grill to sear and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Brush the grilled pita breads with the herby butter and season with sumac and flaky salt, if desired. Cut into wedges and serve as dippers with the skordalia.