Dark Chocolate Powder

The mad scientist is working on a few things. Hi, my name is Eric and I’m going to be working on a few experiments in the kitchen.  My first experiment is from the book “Modern Cafe”.  It requires a little bit of equipment, precision, and general excitement on your part.

“Eric, why the hell would I want to do this with food?”  Shut up Mr. No Fun.  This is awesome and I am going to add this to my arsenal of tricks in the kitchen.  This is just another way to get people to be excited about food whether it’s an adult or child.  I plan to bring this into dinner parties and other demonstrations so I can show people how to have fun with food instead of being so damn stuffy about it.  Let’s eat, have fun, high five, and move onto the next dish!

You’ll need a scale, food processor, canola oil, chocolate (of any kind, I used dark but next time I’ll go with the original recipe using milk chocolate), and tapioca maltodextrine.

Tapioca maltowhowhatagain? The place where I bought it from L’Epicerie has a good explanation:

Tapioca Maltodextrin a modified food starch that thickens and stabilizes fatty compounds. Used by pastry chef Alex Stupak of Alinea to turn peanut butter in granular powder form that reconstitutes instantly in your mouth.
Tapioca maltodextrin is produced from tapioca starch by a natural enzymatic process to give desirable fat-like and stabilizing properties. These maltodextrins can be used as a fat-replacer in desserts, cheese products, and ice cream. Some of the benefits include the neutral flavor which makes it an excellent flavor release with improved smooth texture. Maltodextrins can gel in cold water, has a high water binding capability and has good freeze/thaw stability. The off-white color and low application rate of 2% to 10% makes it a great substitute for fat, milk, gums and other stabilizers.”

So yeah! Pretty cool huh?!?!?!!?!? SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More experiments on the way. Also, I founded a little food science club with two other Seattle bloggers. We’re gonna divide by zero and stuff :)

Eric

Merlot Black Pepper Chocolate Truffle

How do you plate up chocolate? I don’t know! hahahahahaha

This little bite of amazing has been brought to you by my entry into the world of chocolate making. I’ve made chocolate before on here but I didn’t know what the hell I was doing.  I know a little more but I still don’t know what the hell I’m doing.  Knowing what the hell I’m doing….probably about 65%. Anyway, this little bite of amazing is great and I highly suggest wasting a bunch of time to make it. Ta-da!!!!

I’m going to work on different shapes.

Ingredients:

Ganache

  • Heavy cream
  • Unsalted butter
  • Himalayan pink salt
  • Maracaibo 65% Venezuelan chocolate
  • Callebaut 33.6% Belgian chocolate

Outer layer (probably has a fancy French name….update: it’s couverture…Thanks ROB!)

  • Merlot, reduced
  • Black Pepper, finely ground
  • Callebaut
  • Unsalted butter

Procedure:

Ganache

  1. Melt ingredients over double boiler.
  2. Pour in a container then freeze
  3. Remove container from freezer then shape into small ball then place a toothpick in the chocolate ball o’ awesome and freeze

Outer layer:

  1. Reduce merlot over a light simmer until you have reduced 25-30% of the total liquid. You don’t want the alcohol so reduce.
  2. Add the pepper then transfer to a smaller container and refrigerate for 1 day. This will allow the pepper to work its way into the merlot.
  3. Remove from the refrigerator then strain with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth folded over thrice….thrice!
  4. Melt butter and chocolate over double boiler then slowly fold in strained merlot/pepper liquid.
  5. Take ganache ball from freezer then dip it into melted liquid then place ball in freezer.
  6. After a few hours they are ready to eat.
  7. Enjoy

Eric

Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream

When making an entrance sometimes it’s best to come through the door with fireworks, smoke machines, and doves flying behind you.  I bought the ice cream attachment for my Kitchen-Aid and I have been waiting to give it a test run. Yesterday was the day.

I have never made ice cream before so I researched a few things first then went to a trusted source for how I should make things……any Thomas Keller book.

My next visit into the world of frozen delights will be a sorbet and I will use the Rover’s book for that.

The ice cream above is super indulgent and sweet. It doesn’t have the same texture as regular ice cream, it’s a little more thick. Also, the flavor is more intense, it might be because there aren’t a bunch of garbage additives and it’s a f’ing Thomas Keller recipe so of course it’s going to be awesome.  His recipe didn’t include sea salt, I went there myself…..yeah, I went there.

The key to ice cream is the custard and great ingredients (I will karate chop if you use imitation vanilla again). It will determine the consistency of your final product.  Correct temperatures when achieving the custard will give you a nice velvety ice cream texture with a nice clean taste.

Next up, an elderberry flower sorbet using Rover’s base.

Eric

“Aren’t you going to tell us how to make it?!?!?!?!?!”  No.

Hot Chocolate Version 2.0

I’m on the right path with this one it just needs something. Mindy said, “this is the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had” which is great to hear but I’m not happy with it yet. It needs something else. Oh right, I know… onto version 3.0.

I had a little schooling (reading those crazy molecular gastronomy books) on the proper way to heat up chocolate……I’ve been doing it wrong for sooooooooooooo many years and now I’m unstoppable.  It’s not just tempering over a double boiler….it’s more than that…..and a lot easier.

The threaded sugar was another experiment that turned out to be better than I expected. I’m going to work on shapes for 3.0 and then use it as a topper because right now it looks like hair….yummy sugary hair….mmmmmmmmmm mmmm!

So I’ll get back to you on this one ok?  No recipe yet just know that I’m working on it.

Eric

Central Plains Recipes

Wisconsin Cheddar and Beer Soup

Cheese Soup

Ingredients:

½ cup butter

½ cup onion ¼ inch

¼ cup celery ¼ inch

¼ cup red bell pepper ¼ inch

½ cup AP Flour

1 tsp. Dry mustard

1/8 tsp. Paprika

½ tsp. Ground thyme

2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 ½ cups beer

2 cups chicken stock

2 cups milk

1 ½ cups kielbasa sausage ¼ inch dice

salt and pepper, tt

2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

½ cup green onions, thinly sliced

Procedure:

  1. Sweat onion, celery, bell pepper in butter
  2. Add flour and make roux then add seasonings
  3. Add beer and stock then simmer for 30 minutes
  4. Heat milk separately and add to soup
  5. Saute and render the fat out of the sausage. Remove, drain on paper towels, then add sausage to the soup. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in grated cheese until smooth
  7. Season with salt and pepper
  8. Garnish with green onions

Beet and Apple Salad with Horseradish Vinaigrette

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Ingredients:

Vinaigrette

1 tbsp. Mustard, brown or grainy

2 tbsp. Prepared horseradish

¼ cup raspberry vinegar

¾ cup olive oil

salt and pepper, tt

Salad

1 pound beets, mixed

¼ cup green onions, white parts only, minced

1 tbsp. Chives, minced

2 tbsp. Flat-leaf parsley, chopped

2 apples, sweet or tart, julienned

½ cup celery hearts, sliced ¼ inch thick

1 tsp. Lemon juice

3 cups escarole leaves

Procedure:

  1. Preheat oven to 400F
  2. Combine all ingredients for vinaigrette in food processor except oil. Slowly add oil then add salt and pepper
  3. Leaving the roots and 1 inc of stem on beets, rinse them. Bake with ¼ inch water, covered, 25 to 40 minutes or until beets can be easily pierced with a knife. Cool.
  4. When the beets are cool enough to handle, peel and julienne.
  5. Toss the beets with 2 tbsp. Vinaigrette and half the green onions.
  6. Combine the chives, parsley, and apples with the celery and remaining green onions. Toss with 2 tbsp. Vinaigrette
  7. Dress the escarole leaves and dress with remaining vinaigrette
  8. Place escarole leaves on a chilled plate. Place a serving of beets on top of the escarole, with the celery and apples scattered around.

PLANKED WHITEFISH WITH GREEN ONION BATTER

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Ingredients:

4 untreated cedar wood planks or shingles

½ cup butter, softened

1 egg yolk

2 tbsp. Lemon juice

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

¼ cup bread crumbs

¼ cup green onions, chopped

2 tbsp. Parsley, minced

1 garlic clove, smashed

¼ cup vegetable oil

4 whitefish fillets, skinned and boned

salt and pepper, tt

Procedure:

  1. Soak the cedar planks in water for at least a few hours before proceeding.
  2. Mix the butter, egg yolk, lemon juice, mustard, bread crumbs, green onions, parsley, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse for 1 minute to combine into a paste. Roll the paste into a cylinder about 1 inch thick, and wrap in plastic wrap.
  3. Preheat oven to 425F
  4. Remove the planks from water, dry, brush with oil, and place in the oven on a baking sheet for 5 minutes to begin to season the wood.
  5. Brush the fish with oil and season with salt and pepper.
  6. Remove the paste from the refrigerator and cut into ¼ inch thick slices. Place 1 to 2 slices on each fillet.
  7. Place the fish on the hot plank and return to the oven. Bake the fillets for 8 to 10 minutes, until the butter has melted into a brown crust.
  8. Remove and serve

Kansas City BBQ Ribs

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Ingredients:

4 pounds baby back ribs

Seasoning Mix

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup paprika

2 tbsp. Kosher salt

2 tbsp. Celery salt

1 ½ tbsp. Onion powder

1 ½ tbsp. Chili powder

1 tsp. Ground cumin

1 tbsp. Black pepper

1 tsp. Dry mustard

¼ tsp. Cayenne

Sauce

½ cup light brown sugar

½ tsp. Chili powder

½ tsp. Dry mustard

½ tsp. Ground ginger

1/8 tsp. Allspice

1/8 tsp. Paprika

1/8 tsp. Mace

1/8 tsp. Black pepper

½ cup cider vinegar

1/3 cup molasses

1 tsp. Liquid smoke

2 cups ketchup

¼ cup water

wood chips, as needed for smoking

Procedure:

  1. Remove silverskin
  2. Combine all ingredients for seasoning mix
  3. Rub the ribs liberally with seasoning mix
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours
  5. Prepare the sauce by placing all the ingredients in a small saucepot. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, turn down the heat down to a simmer, and simmer for an hour.
  6. Prepare a smoker with soaked wood chips.
  7. Coat the ribs liberally with the barbecue suace.
  8. Place the rib racks in the smoker. Smoke for 2 hours at 250F, basting every hour with the extra sauce
  9. Reheat remaining sauce when serving

Brussels Sprouts with Mushrooms

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Ingredients:

2 cups brussels sprouts, trimmed

2 tbsp. Bacon, ¼ inch dice

2 tbsp. Unsalted butter

1 garlic clove, minced

¼ cup onion ¼ inch dice

1 ¼ cups white mushrooms, ¼ inch slices

salt and pepper, tt

Procedure:

  1. Concasse sprouts then blanche
  2. Render bacon
  3. Add butter, garlic, and onion to bacon fat
  4. Add the mushrooms and cook 5 minutes or more
  5. Cut brussels sprouts in half and add to mushrooms

Mashed Celeriac and Potatoes

(Underneath fish)

Ingredients:

2 cups celeriac, peeled, 1 inch cubes

2 cups, russet potatoes

3 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered

salt and pepper, tt

Pinch grated nutmeg

2 tbsp. Butter

Procedure:

  1. Combine celeriac, potatoes, garlic and salt with water to cover.
  2. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat then simmer 30 minutes
  3. Drain vegetables, reserve liquid.
  4. Food mill vegetables
  5. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add enough of the cooking liquid to soften the consistency and return the mixture to a pan over low heat, stirring until heated through.
  6. Add the butter and serve hot.

Brownie Pudding Cake

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Ingredients:

1 cup AP flour

2/3 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)

¾ tsp. Baking powder

¾ tsp. Salt

1 cup sugar, granulated

6 tbsp. Unsalted, melted, cooled

½ cup heavy cream

2 eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

1 1/3 cups boiling water

¾ cup light brown sugar, packed

Procedure:

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Sift together the flour, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt; set aside
  3. In a mixer, using the paddle attachment, mix the granulated sugar, butter, cream, eggs, and vanilla.
  4. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds.
  5. Spread in an ungreased 8-inch square baking pan; set aside.
  6. Whisk together the remaining 1/3 cup cocoa powder, the boiling water, and brown sugar; pour over batter.
  7. Bake about 35 minutes or until a wood skewer tests clean.

Bratwurst (Farmer Style)

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Ingredients:

19 ounces lean boneless pork butt, 1 inch cubes

13 ounces veal, in 1-inch cubes

2 tsp. Pickling salt

1 tsp. Onion salt

1 tsp. White pepper

1 tsp. Ground marjoram

1 tsp. Parsley, chopped

½ tsp. Ground nutmeg

½ tsp. Celery seed

¼ tsp. Tsp. Ground ginger

¼ tsp. Ground mace

¼ tsp. Ground cardamom

4 ounces crushed ice

Pork or sheep casing, as needed

2 tbsp. Onions, chopped

Procedure

  1. Grind meat through a 3/16 plate on meat grinder
  2. Combine all ingredients except the onion, ice, and casings. Mix well. Chill in freezer for 30 minutes.
  3. Chill all the grinder parts.
  4. Mix meat again and grind through ¼ inch plate with onion.
  5. Place ground meat into a food processor and add crushed ice while blending, 30 to 60 seconds.
  6. Stuff mixture into casings and air-dry for 30 minutes or until dry to the touch.
  7. To cook, simmer in beer or water for 20 minutes; drain. Or grill bratwurst, until browned, about 10 minutes.

Grilled Flank Steak with Blue Cheese

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Ingredients:

1 garlic head

3 shallots, peeled

1 cup unsalted butter

¾ cup blue cheese

2 tsp. Parsley, chopped

2 tbsp. Dry red wine

½ cup bread crumbs, fresh

Steak

4 top loin steaks

salt and pepper, tt

vegetable oil, as needed

Procedure:

  1. Preheat oven to 275F
  2. Cut the top off the garlic head and wrap in foil with the shallots. Roast for 30 to 45 minutes. Remove and, while warm, squeeze garlic pulp out of roasted head.
  3. Chop garlic and shallots to make a paste then cool.
  4. Combine the butter and cheese in a mixer with paddle or in a food processor. Add the roasted garlic and shallots and blend 1 minute. Add the remaining butter ingredients and combine well.
  5. Place the butter on plastic wrap or parchment paper and roll up into a cylinder. Refrigerate until firm.
  6. Season the steaks and sear in hot oil until brown on both sides; cook to desired doneness.
  7. Place each steak on a hot plate and top with some blue cheese butter. Brown the butter on top of the steaks under the broiler for 30 seconds.

Steak Fries

(served with steak)

Ingredients:

  • 2 steak fries
  • Salt and pepper, tt
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Procedure:

  1. Peel and wash the potatoes. Cut lengthwise into 8 wedges.
  2. Parboil the potatoes in boiling salted water for 3 to 5 minutes. Drain, cool, and dry. Set aside until needed.
  3. Fry the potatoes in a 350F fryer in 2 steps. First, let the potatoes get soft and form a skin. Remove them from the oil. Let the temperature of the oil recuperate. Second, shake the basket, place the potatoes back into the hot oil, and let the potatoes get golden brown and crisp.
  4. Drain the potatoes on paper towels and season with salt and pepper.

Macaroni and Cheese

(served with ribs)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • Dash tabasco
  • 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk, warm
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 tsp. dry mustard, dissolved in a little water
  • 4 cups cheddar cheese
  • Salt and White pepper, tt

Procedure:

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water until just barely tender.
  3. Drain and toss with the butter
  4. Mix tabasco with 1 cup milk. Add the eggs, mustard,  and 12 ounces of cheese. Combine well and check seasoning. Mix in macaroni.
  5. Transfer to a baking pan and set in oven. Every 5 minutes, stir in some of the reserved cheese, adding more evaporated milk as necessary to keep the mixture moist and smooth. When you have incorporated all the cheese, the mixture should be creamy, about 20 minutes.

Morel Mushrooms with Spinach

(served with steak)

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups, young, washed, stalks removed
  • Salt, tt
  • 1 cup morel mushrooms, fresh, washed, large ones may be cut in half
  • 6 tbsp. butter
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper, tt
  • Ground nutmeg, tt

Procedure:

  1. Blanch the spinach in boiling salted water for 1 minute; drain. Refresh in ice water, drain again. Gently squeeze to remove excess water.
  2. Trim away bases of fresh morels. Brush and lightly wash and rinse them to make sure they are completely clean and free of grit. (If using dried mushrooms, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. Drain the water and pat the mushrooms dry.
  3. Melt 1/4 cup butter, add mushrooms, and heat through.
  4. Add the spinach, cook on high heat, and stir. If too much liquid, drain excess.
  5. Add the cream, bring to boil, and reduce by half.
  6. Correct seasoning and stir in remaining butter.

Tiramisu Celestiale

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In between all the madness that is going on I was hired to make a Tiramisu for a friend of mine’s birthday party. She asked me if I knew how to make a Tiramisu and I said, “of course!!!!”.  Truth be told, I had no idea how to make a Tiramisu but I wasn’t about to admit that to anyone.

I’m starting to realize through the magic of culinary school and working at a high caliber restaurant that cooking is about methodology.  When someone asks if I can make this or that I say yes because it’s the basic stuff that really matters. Start with great ingredients, find a recipe as a guide, then put your own spin on it to make it your own.  Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert so the first person that I looked for inspiration for this recipe was Chef Nick Stellino.

I met Chef Nick Stellino while I worked at the Festa Italiana in Seattle. My Chef instructor during my first quarter is the culinary director for his show on PBS so I knew whatever recipe I picked from Chef Stellino’s show would be great.

I doubled the recipe below and I have a few additions to the recipe as well.

Ingredients

  • ESPRESSO OR STRONG COFFEE, 2 1/2 cups cooled
  • COFFEE LIQUEUR, 1-1/2 cups
  • LADYFINGERS, 2 (17.6-ounce) packages (72 cookies)
  • EGGS, 9 separated
  • SUGAR. 1-3/4 cups
  • VANILLA, 1-1/2 tsp…………I used vanilla bean instead
  • MASCARPONE CHEESE, 1-1/2 lbs
  • SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE MORSELS, 1 cup (8 ounces) finely chopped
  • SWEET COCOA POWDER, 1/2 cup
  • CARAMEL SAUCE
  • WHITE CHOCOLATE, SHAVED THIN

Directions

  1. Mix the coffee and liqueur in a large bowl.
  2. Dip in the ladyfingers in batches. Don’t leave them in for too long; you want them to be moist on the outside but crunchy on the inside.
  3. Beat the egg yolks with half of the sugar until the mixture is thick enough to form a long ribbon when you lift the beaters.*
  4. Add the vanilla and mascarpone, and beat for 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
  5. Beat the egg whites, adding the remaining sugar a little at a time, until they form stiff peaks and have a glossy sheen, about 4 minutes.
  6. Gently fold the egg whites into the mascarpone mixture until it is all the same color.
  7. Gently fold in the chocolate.
  8. In a 9xl7-inch glass baking dish, assemble the dessert: Layer the bottom of the pan with the moist ladyfingers, and top with a layer of the mascarpone mixture.
  9. Repeat with another layer of ladyfingers and a layer of the mascarpone mixture
  10. With a flour sifter, sprinkle a thin layer of sweet cocoa powder over the top.
  11. Optional step…..add additional chocolate shavings and caramel sauce over tiramisu.
  12. Refrigerate the Tiramisu,for at least 5 hours, or preferably overnight.

Key Lime Pie

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See those little bubbles on the side. It was cooked at the temperature the recipe said to cook it at.  Those holes are not good…….sometimes recipes are wrong. Chef gave us a great lesson about recipes tonight…this is another reason why I’m not very detailed with my recipes…….recipes are only intended to be a guide when you’re cooking your way………..the only time you should follow a recipe exactly is when you are baking or when you are getting paid to do so!

Ingredients:

Crust

  • 1 cup plus 1 tbsp. graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted

Filling

  • 2 cups sweetened condensed milk
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup key lime juice
  • 1 tbsp. key lime zest

Topping

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted

Procedure:

  1. Preheat oven, 350F
  2. Combine graham crackers and sugar
  3. Add the melted butter and combine until the mixture resembles wet sand; press the mixture in a 9-inch pie pan.
  4. Whisk the condensed milk with the egg yolks and blend in the lime juice and zest.  Pour the mixture into the pan with the pie crust.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes or until the filling is set; let pie cool at room temperature…..1 hour
  6. Prepare the topping by whipping the cream with the sugar
  7. Garnish with whipped cream

Roasted Grapes and Nectarines

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This is my second time roasting grapes. The first time I did it I had the temperature too high and cooked them too long so I ended up with charcoal grapes, not fun and/or exciting.  My intention with the grapes is to use them for a much larger plate I have in mind……holidays……….yup.

The nectarines were thrown in because any type of stone fruit is great for roasting, grilling, and just about anything. I had a few extras lying around so I threw those in as well, reduced some balsamic, made a POM Nectarine chantilly cream and garnished with minced macadamia nuts.  Take out the cream, add a nice roast, and this little combination of flavors will be amazing. You’ll see it here soon .

Ingredients:

  • Grapes
  • Arctic Snow nectarines (click)
  • macadamia nuts, minced
  • Balsamic vinegar, reduced
  • Pom Chantilly Cream……heavy whipping cream, POM pomegranate and nectarine (you’ll be able to buy it soon), vanilla, and powdered sugar

Procedure:

  1. Roast at 225F for about 2 hours……ta- da!

Applesauce Cake with Caramel Glaze

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Equipment:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 cups brown sugar, packed
  • 1 egg
  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp. ground cloves
  • 2 cups applesauce, unsweetened
  • 2 cups raisins
  • 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

For the glaze

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup evaporated milk

Procedure

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 10 inch tube pan
  2. Cream the butter until smooth. Gradually add the brown sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the egg; beat well.
  4. Sift together 2 1/2 cups of the flour, the baking soda, salt, and spices. Add to the creamed mixture in batches alternating with the applesauce. Beat well after each addition.
  5. Dredge the raisins and walnuts in the remaining flour; fold into the batter.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour an d15 minutes or until cake tests done.
  7. Cool cake in pan 15 minutes, the invert onto a cake rack to cool completely.
  8. Meanwhile, prepare the glaze. Combine the brown sugar, butter, and milk.
  9. Heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil and the sugar is dissolved.
  10. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches soft-ball stage.
  11. Drizzle the hot sauce over the cooked cake.

Food From The Mid-Atlantic States (Two that we didn’t do…I will do them at a later time)

Roast Duck with Garlic and Honey

(picture)

Equipment:

Ingredients:

  • 1 Long Island Duck, whole
  • 8 garlic cloves, peeled
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 3/4 cup orange or tangerine juice, fresh, save the peels
  • 6 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 2 cups red onions, medium dice
  • 1 cup parsnips, large dice
  • 1 cup turnips, large dice
  • 2 cups carrots, large dice
  • 1 1/2 cups dry red wine
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tsp. thyme, chopped
  • 1 tsp. black pepper

Procedure:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400F
  2. Rinse the duck inside and out with cold water, reserving the neck and liver. Trim the excess fat and skin.
  3. Pat dry and make 8 incisions in the duck breast and thighs, inserting a garlic clove into each incision. Prick the duck skin all over with a fork, but don’t pierce the meat.
  4. Rub the duck inside and out with orange and tangerine peels.
  5. Truss the duck and place breast side down on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast for 20 minutes.
  6. Turn duck breast side up and baste with fat; reduce heat to 350F and continue roasting and basting occasionally until desired doneness is achieved
  7. Heat 1 1/2 tbsp. butter over medium-low heat, add the onions, and cook until they begin to soften
  8. Add duck liver and cook. Remove and cut liver into large dice, then return to pan with onions
  9. Add parsnips, turnips, and carrots; cook 1 minute
  10. Add the remaining butter and 1/2 cup orange juice. Cook until just tender and liquid is almost gone
  11. While duck is roasting, make the sauce base. Bring the duck neck, remaining orange juice, wine, honey, thyme, and 1 tsp pepper to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes
  12. When duck is cooked, remove and let rest 10 minutes
  13. Pour the fat and juices into a container. Let rest until the clear yellow fat separates and rises to the top. Pour or skim off the yellow fat and pour pan juices back into roasting pan
  14. Return pan to heat and add sauce base. Bring to a boil, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Reduce to sauce consistency and pour into a sauceboat.
  15. Carve the duck and serve with the vegetable mixture and sauce.

Roasted Potatoes and Pearl Onions

(picture)

Equipment:

Ingredients:

  • 12 red potatoes
  • 12 pearl onions, peeled
  • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 4 thyme sprigs

Procedure:

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Starting at the top of each potato, pare away a 1/4 inch thick band of skin in a spiral.
  3. Combine the onions and potatoes in a baking dish just large enough to hold them.
  4. Add the butter and vinegar, and toss to coat.
  5. Add salt and pepper. Bury the thyme sprigs in the vegetables.
  6. Bake for 1 hour or until tender, stirring the vegetables every 15 minutes

Eric

Tableside Service

(Click each picture to make it larger)

The elusive picture of Eric….. My wife took these pictures while I was getting dessert ready, peaches with a reduced balsamic. Some of the pictures are a little fuzzy because I move so freaking fast! The end result was a great black on black syrupy balsamic with a touch of baker’s sugar and some grilled peaches. Awesome

Eric