It’s time for another 5 Star Makeover Challenge! This month our ever-imaginative hosts decided to do something different and challenged us to have some fun with Junk Food! The mission, put forth by our hosts: the lovely and talented Natasha of 5 Star Foodie and Laz, that vortex of creativity at Lazaro Cooks, was to take our favorite Junk Food and transform it into a gourmet dish.
I’ve never been a junk food junkie so it wasn’t difficult to decide what my junky ingredient would be: one of the convenience food reincarnations of the potato – French fries, waffle fries, or tater tots. When I splurge, it’s more often on fries than dessert and, back in the day, Carl’s Jr. waffle fries would occasionally get the better of me, so I went for the waffle fries.
With a trip to Hong Kong approaching (we’re leaving tomorrow), I knew I would be a little crazed but didn’t want to miss this month’s challenge – it’s always so inspiring to see what everyone in this talented group creates and I thoroughly enjoy participating. But, things got really crazy this past weekend when all of a sudden we found THE house we’ve been waiting for. We’ve been looking for the past year, but hadn’t seen one that was near the beach, met our criteria AND was in our price range – until Saturday…
That started a whirlwind chain of events: we met with our realtor Sunday morning, made an offer, after a few days of nail-biting – our offer was accepted, and now our house is on the market – just like that! So, not only am I packing a suitcase, this trip might take two suitcases, but frantically preparing to have our house shown while we are in Hong Kong. Fun times! I think I need some waffle fries 😉
But, no excuses here, after a visit to SoCo Farmers Market on Saturday with The Ardent Epicure, I was armed with a painter’s palette of produce including my muse: multi-colored organic radishes – crimson, white, black and purple; ready to put some healthy on those waffle fries! My process is similar to “stream of consciousness” writing – the components just sort of come together as I’m working. I was pleased with the outcome: crunchy, slightly salty waffle fry crostini topped with lush, creamy avocado pesto, thin wafers of crisp radish and sweet notes of apple-y Star fruit. The Za’atar seasoning adds a subtle Middle Eastern flavor along with a dash of heat from Harissa; all together, a bright springtime appetizer with a hint of exotic. College Girl made several trips to the kitchen, in the end, she and her friend polished off nearly a dozen – all the validation I need 🙂
Spring Radish and Avocado Crostini
1 pkg. Alexia Waffle Fries*
1 bunch assorted radishes*, trimmed and sliced thin
Avocado “pesto”:
1 California avocado
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Za’atar seasoning*
juice of 1/2 lime
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Garnish:
1 Star fruit, finely chopped
juice of 1 tangerine or other sweet citrus
chopped parsley
ground Harissa or cayenne spice
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
1. Prepare waffle fries according to package directions. Bake a little longer if you like extra crispy like I do 🙂
2. While the fries are baking, prepare the avocado pesto. Cut the avocado in half, discard the seed, and, using a spoon, remove the avocado flesh from the skin and transfer to a bowl or mini food processor (or blender). Blend the avocado with the Za’atar, lime juice, and half of the parsley. Add the olive oil slowly and blend (or whisk) until almost smooth.
3. Using a mandolin or sharp knife, slice the radishes into thin slices.
4. Trim off the ends of the star fruit (you don’t have to peel star fruit), slice into 1/4 inch slices and finely chop. Drizzle with whatever citrus juice you have on hand.
5. Remove the waffle fries from the oven. Allow to cool slightly. Top with a dollop of avocado “pesto”, place several different colored radishes, top with star fruit, a sprinkle of parsley, and a dash of Harissa spice.
*Note: This was a junk food challenge – you can substitute toasted baguette slices for the waffle fries for a more traditional crostini 🙂 Za’atar seasoning is a Middle Eastern spice mixture of sumac, sesame seeds, and herbs (Mediterranean thyme, Greek oregano, and marjoram). I purchased mine from Savory Spice Shop.
Check out the roundup of all the gourmet junk food creations on Natasha’s or Lazaro’s site and see how your fave has been glammed up!
UPDATE: Join Dine & Dish and Cookin’ Canuck for the California Avocado 4th of July Blast, sponsored by the California Avocado Commission.
I love this! You’ve got crunch, creamy, spicy, and fruity in one bite. I’d happily grab for one … or two!
Good luck with the sale of your home and your trip to HK.
You certainly had beautiful inspiration in those colorful radishes! I love it when dishes just come together organically like that. Congrats on the new house AND on your very exciting trip to Hong Kong! I hope you have lots of fun!
This is awesome! What a great makeover. So creative. I am a huge fan of waffle fries; I love when restaurants have those as a choice 🙂
Have a wonderful trip!
What a wonderful idea for an appetizer, love all these flavors. Have a wonderful trip.
Delicious looking crostini..great color and photos too!Have a safe trip and an amazing time! Can’t wait to see updates! Congrats on a new house!!!
Absolutely gorgeous Priscilla! Your description of avocado pesto and start fruit and crunchy radish…. I can totally imagine everyone can’t stop eating! Congratulations on your dream home near the beach! Sounds really like an California life style! 😉
I’m tasting this through the screen,lol! I guess I love beautifully embellished junk food;-) Enjoy your trip, I’m so excited for you 😉
Wow, Priscilla, congrats on finding a house you wanted and beachside, no less! I’m just a little envious. 🙂
Safe travels to HK; we look forward to your recap of the trip when you return. In the meantime, we’ll savor this beautiful crostini. 🙂
It looks so elegant! A wonderful incorporation of waffle fries, I really like how all the components come together here, terrific job!
What a wonderful appetiser! I love the use of star fruit in this.
Love this makeover 🙂 Perfect party food! Thanks for sharing this… Looks fresh and delicious! Beautiful pictures too! Have a wonderful time in HK…
This is a marvelous use of your junk food. Every layer makes sense for texture and it could be served in a gourmet restaurant. Here in the south, they start everything with something fried. I hate it, but the people here still love fried food. What you did was bring a fresh balance to those waffle fries. (I loved those too).
How exciting!!! I’m not sure what’s more fantastic, the trip to Hong Kong or the new house by the beach. I guess both! This lovely crostini is just perfect for this time of year, Priscilla. Beautifully done.
First I have to say, a HUGE congrats!!! That is so exciting, Priscilla!
Your dish is really beautiful, and a great pairing of flavors and textures. Brilliant use for waffle fries!
These look spectacular!
All the best in your new home and safe travels. Not only did you combine but you also have textural interplay that works. Carl’s Jr. never looked so good.
But, you got to hang out with the Veggie Queen?! That’s just not fair.
Also, Vortex of Creativity? I like it. Although sometimes I feel like I am gonna fall into the vortex and be lost forever.
What a creative mix of flavors, i just recently learned about Zaatar:-) Have a safe trip! Hugs, Terra
I’ve been eating a lot of starfruits lately, so I was excited to see that you’ve used it as a garnish in this gorgeous crostini. I do love all the flavors you’ve put together here… the fruits, the Middle-Eastern spices, the radish and of course, the waffle fries!
Food in Hong Kong will seem a bit bland after this, lol! Have a great time in Asia, Priscilla and come back with plenty of food photos 🙂
Oh wow, this came out fantastic! What a beautiful array of flavors and textures! I have a new respect for the waffle fry 🙂
Hope you are having a great trip…and congrats on finding the house, excited to see it 🙂
Congratulations on the house, Priscilla! I can imagine how busy you might be! Oh, hope you have fun in Hongkok and don’t forget to go shopping there 😀 Oh yeah, Carl’s Jr’ waffles..hmmm..I used to love them. Well, this dish has textures and flavors that waffle fries can’t offer me, so, yes please!
Super-Creative Priscilla! Love the use of waffle fries. I might have to steal that idea…
Congrats on your new home! And safe travels…as I post this comment from 30,000 ft. too.
LL
I’d say you did just the opposite from me… I took fries and made them even richer! You have made them just lovely. those radishes are gorgeous. Have a great time in Hong Kong and good luck with your house!
this is so much fun hope your trip was good
This looks wonderfully light, crispy and bright 🙂 Love your pictures!
This is so pretty! Radishes are such an underused vegetable, in my opinion. This, along with that gorgeous avocado pesto, looks like a wonderful way to highlight them.
I’d love for you to share this recipe (and any of your other favorite avocado recipes) in the avocado link-up/giveaway that I’m hosting with Kristen of Dine & Dish right now. http://bit.ly/NKF4rk