Avocado and Apple “Tartare” with Fried Walnut Dumplings and Chive Cream

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, peeled, and cut into 1/4-inch cubes

  • 2 Mutsu apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch cubes

  • 1⁄4 cup minced shallots

  • 2 tbsp. thinly sliced fresh lemon balm or tarragon

  • 1 tbsp. walnut oil

  • Zest and juice from 1/2 lime

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 1⁄2 cup yogurt (soy or coconut yogurt to make it Vegan)

  • 2 tbsp. chopped chives

  • 1 tbsp. olive oil

  • 1 1⁄2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

  • 1⁄2 cup whole walnuts

  • 2 tbsp. minced flat-leaf parsley

  • 4 sundried tomatoes in oil, removed

  • 1 vine-ripe tomato, core and seeds removed

  • 12 wonton wrappers

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. In a large bowl, combine the avocados with the apples, shallots, lemon balm, walnut oil, and lime zest and juice, and season with salt and pepper. Cover the tartare with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 hours.

  2. In a small bowl, stir the yogurt with the chives, olive oil, and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Cover the chive cream with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 hours.

  3. In a blender, combine the walnuts with the parsley and both tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper. Purée until smooth and then scrape into a small bowl. Place 2 teaspoons of the walnut filling in the center of each wonton wrapper and brush the edges of the wonton with water. Fold the wonton around the filling like a candy wrapper and twist the edges to seal the dumplings.

  4. Pour enough vegetable oil to come 2 inches up the side of a medium saucepan. Attach a deep-fry thermometer to the side of the pan and heat the oil to 350°. Add the dumplings and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, lift the dumplings from the oil, drain briefly on paper towels, and season with salt.

  5. To serve, divide the tartare among four plates and then spoon a dollop of the chive cream on the side. Divide the dumplings among the plates and serve while hot.

| Adapted from Saveur