Crispy Enoki and Onion Fritters with Thai Curry Mayo

For some reason I can't seem to avoid buying a package of enoki mushrooms every time I step intoNew York Mart.I'm not sure why. They're not particularly attractive or flavorful (IfToadhad nightmares ofSlender Man, he'd look like a giant enoki). Perhaps it's that I alwayhopeI'll come up with a way to make better use of them.

My general M.O. with enoki is to either stir-fry them, pickle them, or toss them raw into soups and salads, where they add a bit of texture, but not much else.

It was only the most recent time when I'd just cut the root end off and had a bowl of sliced onion sitting nearby that I realized how similar in shape, size, and texture sliced onions and enoki were. Then I thought to myself,if I fry onions to give them more texture, why not do the same with enoki?

So I combined the two, whipped up a quick batter, and fried them intoKoosh-ball-shaped fitters, which I served with a Thai curry mayo. Freaking delicious.

There are a couple small tricks with the batter. First is to use a combo of corn starch and flour to give it lightness without breadiness or toughness. Second is to use vodka in place of water or another liquid. The volatile alcohol in the vodka rapidly evaporates as the fritter fries, simultaneously leavening it and making for a more tender, crisp finished product.

The mayo is a snap—just a mixture of mayo, jarred red curry paste, and lime juice. Of course, you could also just serve the fritters with a lime or lemon wedge.