Frico Caldo with Prosciutto and Garden Salad
5.0
(1)
This recipe was created by chef Lachlan Mackinnon Patterson of Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado. It's part of a special menu he created for Epicurious's Wine.Dine.Donate program.
Frico caldo are Italian cheese crisps. Chef Mackinnon Patterson's version includes potatoes and onions and makes for a slightly thicker crisp, similar to a potato pancake. Start making this recipe a day before you plan to serve it. The pickled shallots and cilantro vinaigrette are best if prepared 24 hours in advance.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
For pickled shallots
For cilantro vinaigrette
For pesto-pickled shallot vinaigrette
For frico caldo
To serve
Preparation
Make pickled shallots
Step 1
In small container, combine shallots and vinegar. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
Make cilantro vinaigrette
Step 2
In small bowl, whisk together vinegar, shallot, cilantro, and salt. Slowly whisk in oil. Set aside (vinaigrette can be made ahead and refrigerated, covered, up to 24 hours).
Make pesto-pickled shallot vinaigrette
Step 3
In fine-mesh sieve, drain pickled shallots, discarding liquid. Transfer shallots to medium bowl and whisk in pesto, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in grapeseed oil, then olive oil. Set aside.
Make frico caldo
Step 4
In heavy 4-quart pot, combine potatoes with enough cold salted water to cover by 2 inches. Cover, set over high heat, and bring to boil, then reduce heat to moderate and simmer until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.
Step 5
In heavy small skillet over moderate heat, melt butter. Add onions and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Using large wooden spoon, break up potatoes into roughly 1/4-inch pieces and add to onion. Add cheese, salt, and nutmeg and stir until just combined.
Step 6
In heavy 10-inch nonstick skillet over moderate heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking. Add potato mixture and flatten into 1/2-inch-thick, 7-inch-wide cake, rounding edges with spatula. Cook, without moving, until underside is browned, about 8 minutes. Invert large plate over skillet and flip frico onto plate. Slide frico back into skillet, uncooked side down, and cook until underside is golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Slide onto large plate and cut into 8 wedges.
Assemble and serve
Step 7
In large bowl, toss romaine with pesto vinaigrette. Arrange 1 wedge frico on each of 8 medium plates. Top each with 2 slices prosciutto and drizzle with cilantro vinaigrette. Arrange 1 cup romaine alongside each wedge. Serve immediately.
