Sweet Potato Corn Cakes With Pistachio Yogurt Sauce Recipes

SWEET POTATO-CORN CAKES WITH PISTACHIO-YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the cakes: In a large bowl, toss the grated sweet potatoes with 1 teaspoon salt. Let sit, covered, for 30 minutes.
• As the sweet potatoes sit, prepare the sauce: Set a pot of water to boil, and cover the pistachios with an inch of boiling water. Let sit for 30 minutes, until the skins turn soft and easily peel off by rubbing. Discard the skins and the water.
• Place the pistachios in a blender or the bowl of a food processor with the yogurt, scallions, lime juice, honey, garlic and black pepper. Pulse for a few seconds until combined. Season to taste with salt. Set aside. (Sauce can be made a day ahead of time and refrigerated in an airtight container.)
• Squeeze the grated sweet potatoes and discard the liquid. To the same large bowl, add the corn, flour, shallot, curry leaves, garam masala, red-pepper flakes and black pepper. Season with salt. Add the whisked eggs, and mix to combine.
• Divide the mixture into 16 equal parts, and shape each one into a 3-inch disk.
• Lightly oil a cast-iron or nonstick skillet and heat over medium-low. When the oil shimmers, cook the cakes in batches, 3 1/2 to 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and slightly caramelized. Serve warm with the pistachio-yogurt sauce.

TAMARIND PASTE

Steps:

• Separate the tamarind into small chunks and place the fruit into a medium heatproof bowl. (If using whole tamarind pods, remove and discard the outer shell and use the soft fruit inside.)
• Pour the boiling water over the tamarind, submerge completely, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit for 30 to 45 minutes. Stir the tamarind occasionally with a fork at first, then, as the water cools, rub the fruit between your fingers to separate it from the seeds. The mixture will turn thick and pulpy.
• Set a fine mesh sieve over a medium bowl and pass the mixture through to remove any fibrous materials and seeds, pressing firmly with a large spoon to squeeze out as much liquid as possible and scraping the tamarind from the bottom of the strainer into the bowl. The final consistency should be thick, almost like ketchup. Transfer the tamarind paste to a clean jar or container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

SWEET POTATO CORN CAKES W/GARLIC DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Begin by cooking the sweet potatoes. The fastest way to do this is in the microwave. Prick the skin of each potato with a fork. Wrap one potato in a paper towel, place it on a plate, and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Carefully remove it from the microwave, squeeze it to make sure it's soft in the center, and the allow it cool as you cook the next one. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them open and scoop the flesh into a large bowl.
• Slice the green onions and roughly chop a handful of cilantro (about ⅛th of a bunch). Add the green onions, cilantro, frozen corn kernels, salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper to the bowl with the cooked sweet potatoes. Stir until well combined. You can taste it at this point and adjust the seasoning as desired.
• Add the breadcrumbs, cornmeal, and egg to the bowl. These ingredients will bind the mixture together and keep it from falling apart while cooking. Stir until evenly combined. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb moisture.
• While the sweet potato mixture is refrigerating, mix up the garlic sauce. In a small bowl combine the yogurt, one clove of well minced garlic, and a handful of cilantro leaves (roughly chopped). Stir until combined and then refrigerate until ready to serve.
• After the sweet potato mixture has refrigerated, it's time to cook. Add enough vegetable oil to fully cover the bottom of a medium skillet. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until the surface appears wavy (if it begins to smoke, remove it from the burner immediately and turn down the heat). Shape the sweet potato mixture into small patties (about 2-3 Tbsp each) and cook about 4 at a time in the hot oil. Cook until golden brown on each side; about 2 minutes per side. After cooking, place on a paper towel covered plate to drain. Add more oil to the skillet as needed.

SWEET POTATOES WITH YOGURT AND CILANTRO-CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup oil, the honey, juice from 1 lime, a large pinch of salt and pepper to taste, and toss with potato wedges. Spread in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet, bake until tender and lightly browned in spots, 45 to 55 minutes. Sprinkle with additional salt to taste.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse to combine 1/3 cup oil, the cilantro, chiles, garlic, almonds, juice from remaining lime, vinegar and a large pinch of salt, until it forms a chunky purée. Taste and add more salt if needed.
• Spoon the sauce over the potatoes, dollop with some yogurt, drizzle with oil, and serve with any remaining yogurt on the side.

BLISTERED GREEN BEANS WITH SHALLOTS AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large wok or saucepan set over high, adding more as needed to cover the bottom. Once the oil is hot, add the shallots and season with salt. Cook until shallots turn golden brown and slightly crisp, about 4 to 6 minutes. (Watch them carefully, and pull them from the pan when just golden, or they will taste very bitter.) Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shallots to a medium bowl.
• In the same wok, heat 1 tablespoon oil over high. Fry the garlic and pistachios, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and the pistachios are light brown, about 30 to 45 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to the bowl with the shallots.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the wok and reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the green beans and season with salt. Stir-fry until they blister, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the soy sauce to the green beans and remove from heat. Add lime juice and black pepper and fold to coat.
• Transfer the green beans to a serving bowl or plate. Garnish with the fried shallots, garlic and pistachios. Serve immediately.