Idaho® Potato Napoleon

Idaho Potato Napoleon

This recipe has been provided to AEB as is by the Idaho Potato Commission

Recipe provided by Karl Matz The Cheesecake Factory Calabasas Hills, CA

Ingredients

5 medium Idaho® potatoes, peeled
Herbed Goat Cheese (recipe follows)
Canola oil, for deep-frying
All-purpose flour, as needed
4 eggs, whisked
3 to 4 cups panko breadcrumbs
Heirloom Tomato Confit (recipe follows)
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
4 teaspoons julienned fresh basil

Herbed Goat Cheese

12 ounces soft goat cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, softened (or substitute cream cheese)
4 teaspoons minced shallots
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1 teaspoon salt
2 pinches black pepper

Heirloom Tomato Confit

1 pound assorted heirloom tomatoes, blanched, peeled, seeded, cut in 1/4-inch dice
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, smashed
1 sprig fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pinch sugar
1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons julienned fresh basil
1 tablespoon minced parsley
2 teaspoons minced shallots
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pinch minced fresh thyme

Directions

Slice potatoes on mandolin to 1/4-inch-thick disks. Select 60 disks of at least 1 1/2 inches in diameter; reserve remaining pieces for other use. Par-cook disks for 2 minutes in boiling water; drain well. Arrange in a single layer on baking sheet to air-dry and cool, about 5 minutes. (Do not shock in cold water.)
Prepare Herbed Goat Cheese:
Mix all ingredients together in bowl with wooden spoon; reserve.
To assemble each of 12 Napoleons, place a potato slice on a work surface; top with a teaspoon of Herbed Goat Cheese. Continue layering: a potato slice, a teaspoon of cheese, a potato slice, a teaspoon of cheese, a potato slice, a teaspoon of cheese and finish with a potato slice. Gently press and compact so Napoleon measures about 2 1/2 inches in height and cheese is neatly contained. Repeat to make a total of 12 Napoleons. Transfer to clean sheet pan; refrigerate 20 to 30 minutes, or up to 1 day.
Prepare Heirloom Tomato Confit: Place tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, thyme sprig, 1/4 teaspoon salt and sugar in shallow baking dish. Bake 1 hour in preheated 250° F oven. Remove tomatoes from oil, reserving oil. Cool tomatoes; discard garlic and thyme.
In a stainless mixing bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of rice vinegar and oil reserved from tomatoes. Add cooled tomatoes, basil, parsley, shallots, pepper, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and chopped thyme; mix well. Reserve at room temperature, covered, up to 1 hour.
Remove Napoleons from refrigerator. Carefully dip each in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in egg wash then gently roll in panko crumbs, pressing crumbs between the layers.
In deep, medium-gauge saucepan, heat oil to 300º F. Working in batches of four, carefully place Napoleons in oil; cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer with slotted spoon to paper towel; reserve warm.
Divide Heirloom Tomato Confit among four plates. Carefully cut each Napoleon in half; place 6 pieces per plate on top of confit, arranging cut-side-up in desired plate presentation. Sprinkle each piece with salt, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon Parmesan. Scatter 1 teaspoon basil over tomatoes on each plate.