Harissa Aioli Recipes

SOFT SHELL CRAB SANDWICH WITH HARISSA AIOLI

Steps:

• Add canola oil to a high-walled pot and bring to 375 degrees F.
• Dredge the crabs through the flour, shaking them to remove any excess flour, and gently place them one by one into the cooking oil.
• Allow the crabs to cook on one side for 3 minutes, then carefully flip each crab and cook on the other side for an additional 2 minutes.
• Once the crabs are crisp, remove them from the oil and allow them to drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Season the crabs immediately with salt.
• Mix the harissa and mayonnaise in a bowl and then spread the aioli onto both sides of the buns.
• Place lettuce and pickles on the bottom of each of the buns, then top with crabs and serve.

HARISSA AIOLI

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and lower egg into the water. Simmer for 5 minutes until soft boiled. Remove from boiling water with a slotted spoon and hold under cold running water until cool enough to handle. Peel and allow egg to come to room temperature.
• Place egg yolks in a small bowl and pour lemon juice on top; set aside.
• Peel garlic cloves and remove and discard any green sprouts running through the middle. Add garlic cloves to a blender.
• Place soft-boiled egg in the blender; season with salt and pepper. Drop in egg yolk-lemon juice mixture. Pulse a couple of times, then blend on low quickly, then blend on medium until smooth. Slowly add olive oil and blend at medium-high speed until an emulsion forms. When mixture has the consistency of mayonnaise, it is ready. Transfer aioli to a bowl; fold in harissa paste just until mixed.
• Refrigerate until use. Sprinkle with a pinch of ground cardamom before serving.

EASY HARISSA RECIPE

Steps:

• Soak and prepare the dried chiles. Place the dried chiles in a heat-safe bowl and cover with hot water. Set aside for 30 minutes until the chiles are tender and re-hydrated. Drain the chiles and remove the stems and seeds.
• Combine chiles with the remaining ingredients. Transfer the chiles to the bowl of a large food processor fitted with a blade. Add the tomato paste, roasted red peppers, garlic, ground caraway seeds, coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), and a large pinch of kosher salt. Add fresh lemon juice.
• Make the harissa paste. Run the food processor, and while it's running, drizzle the extra virgin olive oil from the top opening. Stop the processor to scrape down the sides and run again until you reach the desired paste-like texture. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking (remember that harissa paste will deepen in flavor as it sits in the fridge over the next day or two).
• Store. Transfer the harissa paste to a clean mason jar. Cover with a very thin layer of extra virgin olive oil, then cover the jar with its lid tightly and refrigerate.