Sesame & Ginger Potato Chips

I have a confession. Yesterday's picture? If you frequented the Gastronomie Forum, you'd have known exactly what the picture was of -- I gave it away in a thread I started Monday night.

Trader Joe's has recently started carrying a line of gourmet potato chips. A couple of the flavors are somewhat traditional (Roasted Garlic & 3 Cheese, Goat Cheese & Fine Herbs), but the Toasted Sesame & Ginger chips (above) are, frankly, brilliant.

A little bit sweet, a little bit savory, salty and unbelievably fragrant, these chips are about as unique a chip I've ever had. I used them as a base for a gorgeous Tuna Tartare, but they'd be equally at home alongside a Seared Tuna Burger.

Tuna Tartare "Bites"
All proportions are estimates; make this tartare to your personal taste

• 1 sashimi-grade ahi tuna steak (approx. 1/2 lb), diced
• 1 mango, diced very fine
• 1 small Persian cucumber (or half an English seedless), diced fine
• 1 tbsp lime zest
• Juice of 1 lime or Meyer Lemon (or one half of each)
• 2 tbsp red onion, finely diced (optional)
• 1 tbsp cilantro, minced
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Fleur du sel or other quality, flaky salt
• 1 bag Trader Joe's Toasted Sesame & Ginger Potato Chips

1. Toss all ingredients together, tasting as you go to adjust it to your palate
2. Season with salt and pepper (I used pimente d'Espelette, because I love the stuff, but a bit of cayenne or ground white peppercorns are fine. Avoid black pepper as it's flavor is a bit jarring).
3. Allow to rest for a few minutes so flavors meld, then place approximately 1 teaspoon of the tartare on each chip.
4. Garnish as desired, and serve.

Comments

[Melissa]

That's hilarious! A friend of ours once served a similar tuna on a Pringle as an appetizer for a fancy meal. It was so unexpected that we laughed out loud, but the salty chip was great. Sesame ginger sounds even better.

[sam]

we need to make an appointment for you to hand me over the grand prize of one potato chip, missy!

these sound fab - and i try so hard to keep away from crisps - but they look irrestable

thank you for sharing

[mariam]

salam - i came across your blog through onmyplate.org. as an iranian in san francisco who shares your propensity for cooking, i'm delighted by your entries. incidentally i just tried the trader joe's roasted garlic and 3 cheese chips; i'll have to keep an eye out for the sesame and ginger ones.

[Fatemeh]

Mariam Joon - khosh amadeen!

I have to admit that my only Persian-oriented posts seem to be about food. I think I will actually do a new Category for that. I don't keep up particularly well on Persian politics, though I really should.

Welcome, again, and I can't wait to check out your blog, too.

[Fatemeh]

Sam - Oh, you know what I meant, silly girl! I couldn't very well say that I'd "give the winner a bag", because that would have given it away! Regardless, I will have a bag waiting for you on the 24th!

Bon Anniversaire to your Gallic gentleman.

Melissa - They are ridiculously unique. They make you wonder why no one has thought to do this flavor before!

[Jeanne]

Freakin' brilliant I tell you!

[cookiecrumb]

Well, Fatemeh, either you started a run on the bank or Marin County is not as hip as I thought it was. No sesame/ginger potato chips at the San Rafael Trader Joe's! I'll keep checking...

[Rachael]

that sounds so amazingly delicious! I love it! Mmmmmmmmmmm.