Purslane Meyer Lemon And Pear Salad With Makrut Lime Vinaigrette Recipes

JASMINE RICE CRACKER

Steps:

• Wash rice in 3 or 4 changes of cold water in a large bowl, then drain well in a large sieve and transfer to a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan. Add 2 1/2 cups water and table salt and boil, uncovered, without stirring, until steam holes appear on surface of rice and grains on top appear dry, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to as low as possible, then cover pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook 15 minutes more.
• Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes, then fluff rice with a fork. Transfer to a bowl and cool to warm.
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a 13- by 9- by 2-inch metal baking pan.
• Press rice evenly into baking pan with lightly oiled hands. Put pan in oven and reduce oven temperature to 250°F. Bake rice until dry, about 3 hours. Cool completely in pan on a rack, then break into 2- to 3-inch pieces.
• Heat oil in a deep 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until it registers 350°F on thermometer. Fry pieces of rice in batches of 4 to 6, turning over once, until pale golden, about 2 minutes. (Return oil to 350°F between batches.) Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain and season with fleur de sel.

PURSLANE, MEYER LEMON, AND PEAR SALAD WITH MAKRUT LIME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Make vinaigrette:
• Cut peel, including white pith, from lemon with a small sharp knife. Working over a bowl to catch juices, cut lemon segments free from membranes, letting segments drop into bowl.
• Crush lemongrass stalk with side of a heavy knife (to release oils), then thinly slice. Bring stock, lemongrass, and chile to a boil in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan. Cover pan and remove from heat, then let stand 20 minutes.
• Return to a boil and add lemon segments with juice and lime leaves. Cover pan and remove from heat, then let stand 20 minutes more.
• Pour mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, discarding solids, then return to saucepan and whisk in oil. Bring vinaigrette to a boil and whisk in cornstarch mixture, then simmer, whisking occasionally, 2 minutes. Cool completely. Whisk in herbs and salt and pepper to taste.
• Make salad:
• Using slicer, cut Meyer lemon (with skin) crosswise, pears lengthwise (discarding cores), and radishes lengthwise into very thin slices (about 1/16 inch thick) and transfer to a large bowl. Add purslane, oil, lemon juice, and fleur de sel and pepper to taste and toss gently.
• Divide salad among 6 plates and spoon vinaigrette over and around each. Serve salads with jasmine crackers on the side.