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
- Toss all ingredients together, tasting as you go to adjust it to your palate
- 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).
- Allow to rest for a few minutes so flavors meld, then place approximately 1 teaspoon of the tartare on each chip.
- Garnish as desired, and serve.
