Broccoli Fritto Misto Recipes

FRITTO MISTO

Steps:

• For the sauce: Combine the basil, pistachios, olive oil, lemon zest and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until roughly pureed. Remove the contents to a small bowl and stir in the mayonnaise and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Season with the salt.
• For the seafood: Fill a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven with 3 inches of oil and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Whisk together the rice flour, cornstarch, polenta, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Working in batches, dredge the shrimp and calamari in the flour mixture and add to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan and drop the temperature. Fry until light golden brown and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Use a spider to remove the seafood to a paper towel-lined tray and season with a pinch of salt. Continue with the remaining shrimp and calamari. Serve hot alongside the pesto dipping sauce and lots of lemon wedges.

BROCCOLI FRITTO MISTO

Steps:

• Fill a large, deep, heavy pot with enough oil to come up 2 inches from bottom of pot. Place over medium heat; clip a deep-fry thermometer to pot and heat oil to 350°.
• Cut a slit in the side of each pepperoncini; squeeze out excess liquid and pat very dry. Stir together pepperoncini brine, vinegar, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to make the dipping sauce; set aside.
• Whisk together 1 cup rice flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in 1 cup club soda and wine. (Batter should have the texture of thin honey.) Add remaining 1/4 cup rice flour to a shallow bowl.
• Preheat oven to 200°. Working with a few pieces at a time to avoid crowding, toss Broccolini in rice flour, then dip in batter, turning to coat. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer to pot and fry until crisp and golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer Broccolini to a wire rack set over a baking sheet; season with salt. Place baking sheet in oven to keep warm.
• Thin batter with more club soda until it has the consistency of heavy cream (about 2 tablespoons). This will prevent thick clumps of batter from forming in the florets. Repeat batter and frying instructions in step four with broccoli, followed by pepperoncini and sage. Serve right away or keep in oven up to 1 hour. Serve with reserved dipping sauce.