Fritto-Misto, the famous mixed fry from Emilia-Romagna, is a combination of ingredients dipped in batter and deep fried. It can be made with any combination of vegetables, cheese or meats, often brains or livers. Here we use a large assortment of vegetables, as easy to prepare for fourteen as for four. The wine in the batter gives a light tenderness, similar to Japanese tempura. Serve Fritto-Misto with garlic mayonnaise.

Blend the egg yolks and the olive oil in a medium bowl. In another bowl, combine the salt, wine and water and whisk into the yolk and oil mixture, pouring in a slow and steady stream. Add the flour, a tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly. Refrigerate covered for 2 hours before using.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan to 375^o F. or until a piece of one of the vegetables bubbles immediately after dropping into the oil. Dip a handful of the vegetables into the oil with a slotted spoon and fry, turning them once. Remove when they are golden brown, about 2 minutes, and drain on a paper towel. Skim and discard the browned bits floating on the oil. Continue until all vegetables are cooked.

Serve at once with Garlic Mayonnaise.

Makes 14 servings.

Cook’s note:

Choose any vegetables such as red onions, scallions, mushrooms, fennel bulb, green beans, sweet potatoes and chard stems. Cut the vegetables in a variety of attractive, ¼ inch thick shapes (rounds, half circles, sticks, wedges, ovals, etc.)

Garlic Mayonnaise

2 egg yolks
4 tsp. lemon juice
1 ½ tsp. finely chopped garlic
½ tsp. salt
Pinch white pepper
Pinch cayenne
2 cup light olive oil
1 ½ Tb. water, if making in food processor

To make the mayonnaise by hand, place the egg yolks, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and cayenne in a medium bowl. Beat the oil into the mixture with a wire whisk, adding the oil drop by drop until the yolk has absorbed the first ¼ cup of oil. Add the remaining oil more rapidly in a slow steady stream.

To make the mayonnaise in a food processor, put the yolk mixture in the work bowl fitted with the metal blade and with the motor running add the oil in the same manner. Add the water with the last ½ cup of oil.

Makes 2 ½ cups.