Blue corn dumplings in potato nests with red chile sauce

18 pieces

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
3 larges Russet potatoes, peeled and julienned
1 cup Blue cornmeal
2 teaspoons Baking powder
½ teaspoon Salt
2 tablespoons Sugar
1 teaspoon Unsalted butter, melted
4 cups Vegetable oil
½ teaspoon Salt
¾ cup Milk
2 cups Chicken stock
1 cup Water
3 cups Red Chile Sauce

Directions

POTATO BASKET

BLUE CORN DUMPLINGS

Line the larger basket in a set of long handled potato nest baskets with potato strips and then place the smaller basket inside, on top of the potatoes.

Heat the oil in a large pot over high heat and sumberge the baskets in oil. Fry about 1 minute, or until the potatoes turn golden brown.

Remove the top basket and carefully remove the potato nest. Drain on paper towels. Repeat the process until you have 6 potato baskets, or until all the potato strips have been used. Sprinkle with salt and set aside.

To make the dumplings, sift the blue cornmeal, baking powder, salt and sugar together in a bowl. Add the butter and milk and mix well, making a stiff but moist batter. Let rest 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, boil together the chicken stock and water over high heat, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. After the batter has rested, make almond shaped dumplings with 2 tablespoons, evening off each side of the dumpling with one of the spoons. Dropthe dumplings into the simmering stock, cover the pot, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until tender and thoroughly cooked. Drain.

Heat the Red Chile Sauce over moderate heat. Spoon about ½ cup onto each place, place a potato basket on top, and 2 to 3 dumplings inside. ***********

Based on traditional ingredients, this recipe combines the mild flavors of potatoes and blue corn with the spiciness of Red Chile Sauce, resluting in a simple yet elegant appetizer..

Much of the recipe can be made ahead of time. The potato nests, which are made in a special pair of long-handled wire baskets, mut be stored in a dry place to retain their crispiness and can be served at room temperature. The chile sauce can also be made in advance, since it keeps well in the refrigerator and can easily be reheated.

From "Native American Cooking," by Lois Ellen Frank Submitted By HILDE MOTT On 10-31-94

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