California Consomme Recipes

CHICKEN CONSOMME: BASIC CLARIFICATION

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the ground meat with the onions, leeks, celery, carrots, thyme, tarragon, parsley, garlic, and black pepper. Puree on high speed.
• In a bowl, combine the egg whites with the pureed meat mixture. Stir well to blend.
• Place the stock in a large pot and add the "raft" (the pureed meat-egg white mixture). Bring to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent the raft from sticking to the bottom and sides of the pot. (Once the stock has come to a boil, do not stir again.) Reduce to a simmer and puncture a hole in the center of the raft for the stock to circulate through and clarify. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Gently poke a hole in the raft large enough to fit a ladle. With a ladle, gently scoop out the consomme into a clean pot or bowl. Strain through a layer of cheesecloth to finish clarifying.
• Serve hot with desired garnish. Alternatively, transfer consomme to a shallow bowl or roasting pan and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, covering with plastic wrap only when the consomme is cool enough that no condensation forms on the plastic. When the consomme is completely cooled, cut it into 1/2-inch cubes and divide between consomme cups. Garnish with sour cream, chopped chives, and a lemon slice and serve with toast points.

CONSOMME

Steps:

• Some Traditional Garnishes: Brunoise-Consomme garnish with small cubes of carrots, turnips, leeks, celery, peas, and chervil
• Cheveux d'anges-Chicken Consomme garnished with very small vermicelli and grated Parmesan cheese
• In a mixing bowl, whip the egg whites slightly. Combine the lean meat, vegetables, tomato puree, herbs, and spices together. Mix in the egg whites. In a spigot stock pot, blend the cold chicken stock with the meat mixture. Place the stock pot on medium heat. Stir the liquid occasionally until the raft forms. (the liquid should reach 160 degrees F) Simmer the soup for 1 1/2 hours, making sure the raft does not break or sink. Remove the first cup of the consomme from the spigot to remove sediment and discard. Line a china cap with 5 layers of cheesecloth. Strain the liquid slowly. If the liquid is cloudy, strain the consomme again with fresh cheesecloth. Season with salt, hot sauce, and garnishes.

BEEF CONSOMME

Steps:

• Whip egg whites until frothy.
• Combine egg whites, beef, mirepoix, and tomatoes in a stockpot.
• Add COLD beef broth, mix well.
• Put spices, except salt, in cheesecloth, tie to seal, and put in broth.
• Add salt to taste to broth.
• Bring mixture to a simmer (DO NOT BOIL) you should see a little steam over the surface of the broth, but no bubbling, or as few bubbles rising to the surface as possible.
• Stirring occasionally.
• The beef and vegetable mixture will eventually harden and rise to the top.
• Do not stir after this has happened.
• Break a hole in the beef mixture to allow broth to bubble through.
• Simmer approximately 90 minutes.
• Strain through cheesecloth, degrease.
• Adjust seasoning.

BEEF BURGUNDY

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine 1-1/3 cups wine, onion, parsley, oil, garlic, bay leaf, pepper and thyme. Pour half in a large resealable plastic bag; add the beef. Seal and turn to coat; refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight, turning bag occasionally. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade. , Drain marinade from beef; pat meat dry with paper towels. Coat beef with flour. , In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown meat in 2 tablespoons butter on all sides. Stir in consomme and reserved marinade. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until meat is tender., In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add pearl onions; boil for 3 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water; peel. In a skillet, saute mushrooms and pearl onions in remaining butter until tender. Add to beef mixture. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Thicken if desired. Serve with noodles.

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Warm oil in skillet and add chicken and onion. Cook 15 minutes or until chicken is browned and just about done. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Place chicken on cookie sheet and top each breast with 1 to 2 slices of tomato and 2 to 3 slices of cheese. Place in oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until cheese melts. Remove from oven, add 2 to 3 slices of avocado on top of each breast, and serve immediately.