Fried Mushrooms with Smoked Paprika Remoulade

Directions

1. To prepare the fried mushrooms, combine the panko and parsley in the bowl of a food processor, then pulse until finely ground. If you've just washed your parsley, dry it before adding it to the food processor.
2. Set up a "breading" station with three low bowls. In the first bowl, add flour. In the second, add buttermilk. In the third, add the panko/parsley mixture, then stir in lemon zest and season with salt and pepper. (Set the lemon aside to use later -- see "Optional" note below.) Dunk the mushrooms into each bowl, covering them with flour, then buttermilk, then the panko/parsley mixture. Place the breaded mushrooms aside until ready to be fried.
3. In a skillet, heat the oil until simmering. Fry the mushrooms in batches over medium to high heat, turning them, until golden and crispy, about 3 minutes total -- a fish spatula works well to flip the mushrooms without tearing the breading. Drain the mushrooms on a paper towel-lined plate, and sprinkle with salt. To keep the mushrooms warm, transfer them to a baking sheet -- fried mushrooms can be held in an oven at 225º F for 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Optional: Instead of throwing away the lemon, add it to the fry. Slice the lemon as paper-thin as possible with a sharp knife or mandoline, then follow the same process as with the mushrooms to bread and fry the lemons.
5. To prepare the smoked paprika remoulade, combine the mayonnaise, cornichons, mustards, smoked paprika, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and mix until combined.