November 10, 2009 3:18 PM

TasteFresno Wants You

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If you haven't yet checked out the latest iteration of TasteFresno, please do. This web site aims to celebrate Fresno's diverse food, and it will succeed only if we submit sources for the best local eats.

My favorite idea is the community cookbook. TasteFresno is collecting requests for restaurant dishes from Fresno restaurants. Want to know the recipe for the fish tacos at the latest Guadalajara? Or the lomo saltado at Limón? TasteFresno just might get it for you.

As someone who collects recipes from local chefs for stories, I can tell you firsthand that the bulk of work will be in the editing and the cooking. (Case in point: This week's food section features The Vintage Press Restaurante's Thanksgiving recipes, which had me brushing melted butter on a turkey, drying sourdough croutons in the oven and straining pan drippings for gravy last week.)

So, good luck to the TasteFresno folks as they embark on this endeavor. Here's a recipe to get them (and you) started: the sweet potato fries that Roy Harland used to make at Harland's and Max's.

First, a couple of caveats: This was published in The Bee long before I started working here, so I haven't tested this recipe. And Max's may have changed the recipe since Harland left, so the TasteFresno folks will want to double-check it.


Sweet potato fries

Either sweet potatoes or yams will work. Peel and cut into log shapes about 1/4-inch in diameter. Rinse and drain and, while still damp, toss in cornstarch. In a fry basket or strainer, shake off any excess cornstarch. Fry in plenty of vegetable oil in a deep pan for about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels and salt lightly.


Jalapeño-arugula mayonnaise

1 whole egg

2 egg yolks

10 medium garlic cloves

2-5 fresh jalapeño peppers

2 cups vegetable oil

1 bunch arugula or watercress, coarsely chopped

1-1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

In a food processor, combine egg, egg yolks, garlic and jalapeños and blend well. While the machine is running, drip the oil into the egg mixture until it emulsifies. Process until smooth and thick. Process arugula into sauce. Add mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Roy Harland suggests trying this on grilled chicken or fish, or as a sandwich spread.

(This recipe was printed in The Bee on 6/3/1992.)

5 Comments

PRINTING!!!!!

I actually think the sweet potato is a real potato impostor - sort of like low fat mayonnaise...

HOWEVER, Max's Sweet Potato Fries and dipping sauce have shown me the light.

Thank you for this!!

AND GO Taste Fresno ---- You Rawk!

Joan, thanks for the encouragement - and for the head start :-) We definitely have our work cut out for us, but hopefully we're building something that the community takes part in - online and off.
And Marisa, you're quite the hit - it looks like people love having vegetarian options!
-James
(PS: now I understand why I just received a certain email!)

You're welcome, guys!

And Marisa, I enjoy your videos, but the sight of watching you cut that wobbly onion for the coke chicken made me worried. I had all these mental images of the knife slipping and slicing your hand!

I know, I know - THE ONION!

No chopping shown in the 2nd episode!! Maybe I'll do some community service and do a special PSA on proper knife use! (Thanks to Bradley's suggestion)

Hang in there with me - I'll get better I swear!

props to James and the team!

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