Fried Avocado Slices with Spicy Lime Crema

This chile pepper gets its name from its origin. In Spanish, serrano is an adjective meaning “from the mountains” which is where it originated-in the mountains of Hildalgo, Mexico. The serrano is normally about twice as hot as Jalapeno (about 10,000 to 15,000 Scoville units). It is the second most popular chile pepper in Mexico. This chile is used mostly for salsas but can also be used in soups, sauces, chili or stews. Try these as a hotter substitute for Jalapeno.

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Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups buttermilk
3 Tbsp. hot sauce
4 firm-ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and each sliced into 8 even pieces
1-1/2 cups sour cream
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 cup diced red onion
1 serrano pepper, seeded and minced
1-1/2 tsp. salt, divided
vegetable oil, for frying
1-1/2 cups fine yellow cornmeal
3 Tbsp. flour
3/4 tsp. Creole seasoning, plus more for seasoning
3/4 tsp. baking powder
lime wedges, for garnish

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, combine the buttermilk, hot sauce and avocado slices. Soak the avocado slices for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, red onion, serrano pepper and 1/2 tsp. of salt. Stir to combine and chill until ready to use.

In a medium Dutch oven or deep-fryer, fill the oil to a depth of 3-4″ (no more than halfway up the sides of the pan.) Heat oil to 375F over medium-high heat.

Combine the cornmeal, flour, Creole seasoning, baking powder and the remaining teaspoon of salt in a shallow dish. Dredge the soaked avocado slices in the cornmeal mixture, shaking to remove any excess cornmeal.

Place the avocado slices in the hot oil and fry them until golden, about 1-2 minutes on each side. Using a slotted spoon, remove the slices and drain them on a paper towel-lined plate. Season with additional Essence and serve immediately with the spicy lime crema and garnish with lime wedges.

Recipe adapted from “New New Orleans Cooking”, by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.