Grilled Rare Squab With Foie Gras Fried Rice And Pomegranate Molasses Syrup Recipes

FOIE GRAS WITH DATE PURéE AND POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Soak dates in boiling-hot water (1/2 cup) in a bowl 10 minutes. Transfer dates with a slotted spoon to a mini food processor or a blender along with 1 tablespoon soaking liquid. Add pomegranate molasses and purée until smooth.
• Preheat broiler.
• Cut enough 1/4-inch-thick slices from brioche to cut into a total of 32 (1 1/2-inch) squares (without crust).
• Broil brioche squares on a baking sheet 4 to 5 inches from heat, turning once, until pale golden, about 1 1/2 minutes total. (Watch carefully; brioche toasts quickly.)
• Dip a sharp paring knife in hot water, then dry it and halve foie gras lengthwise. Cut each half crosswise into 16 slices (32 total), dipping and drying knife after each cut. Put each slice as cut on top of a brioche toast, then top with a small dollop of date purée and a few pomegranate seeds.

GRILLED RARE SQUAB WITH FOIE GRAS FRIED RICE AND POMEGRANATE MOLASSES SYRUP

Steps:

• For the squab: In a baking dish large enough to hold the squab, combine the soy sauce, molasses, wine, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, black pepper, and oil. Add the squab, turn to coat, and marinate, covered, about 1 hour.
• Prepare a medium-hot grill and season the squab with salt and pepper. Place the squab skin side down on the grill and cook until brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes for medium-rare. Be sure to cook the legs an extra 2 minutes on each side. Remove the squab and keep warm.
• For the fried rice: In a medium sautee pan coated with oil, sweat the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic over medium heat for five minutes. Add the rice and the oil and saute for 3 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the white wine, add the chicken stock, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. When the mixture begins to boil, turn the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until done, then set aside. Prepare a medium saute pan over high heat. Season the foie gras with the salt and pepper, and then sear each side for about 1 minute each. Add the rice mixture to the foie gras and mix in the chives. Keep warm.
• For the syrup: In a medium saute pan, over high heat, add the oil and cook the shallots, and garlic until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the squab bones and continue cooking until brown. Deglaze the pan with the wine, then add the molasses, thyme, bay leaf and chicken stock. Cook the mixture until the liquid is reduced by 1/2, and then strain to remove the bones. Return the strained liquid to the pan, reduce by half again and set aside. Garnish: 1 teaspoon truffle oil 1 teaspoon lemon juice Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 1/2 cup pea tendrils.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the truffle oil and the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat the pea tendrils.
• Plating: Right before serving, whisk the butter and lemon juice into the sauce and correct the seasonings. Mound the rice at one end of a large oval platter. Place the squab breast and legs crisscrossed along the platter and place the pea tendril salad near the squab. Drizzle over the sauce.

ROASTED SQUAB STUFFED WITH SHIITAKES AND PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• Pre-heat an oven to 550 degrees (the highest it will go). Rub oil on the skin and season both the inside and outside with salt and pepper. In a hot skillet coat with the olive oil and sautee the shallots and shiitakes until soft, about 3 minutes. Season and set aside to cool. Mix with lemons, scallions, thyme and stuff the birds. Place birds on sheet tray and roast in the oven until crispy brown, about 8 to10 minutes. Turn the oven down to 350 and roast another 5 to10 minutes, depending on desired doneness, (I prefer medium rare, 7 minutes).
• Wine Recommendation: Olmos Reward, Frankland Estate, Aus

RICE PAPER WRAPPED HALIBUT ROASTED WITH FOIE GRAS GINGERED SPAGHETTI SQUASH AND WILD MUSHROOM RAGOUT

Steps:

• Spread foie mousse on each fillet and top with 3 chives. Soak the rice wrappers in warm water until soft, about 3 minutes, then lay on a dry, clean hand towel. Place halibut, foie side down in the middle of the wrapper and fold in bottom side first. Then fold in the 2 sides followed by the top. Let rest on folded side for 5 minutes before cooking. These can be made 4 hours in advance. In a non stick pan, coat with a little oil and sear folded side first, about 3 minutes. This will seal the package. Flip over and sear the foie side until brown. Flip back over and toast in a 400 degree oven for about 8 to 10 minutes. On a large plate, place small mound of squash in the middle. Surround with mushrooms and garnish with truffle oil and chives.;
• In a processor, puree into a mousse the foie gras, egg, cream, truffle oil and chicken until smooth. Transfer the mousse to a chilled bowl and fold in the chives and season with salt and pepper. Set aside;
• Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Place squash on baking dish and add the butter, honey, ginger and seasoning. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes until squash is "al dente". Do not overcook the squash. Spoon out squash and check for seasoning. Keep warm for serving
• Wild Mushroom Ragout: Canola oil 5 sliced shallots Salt and black pepper 1 cup crimini or button mushrooms 1 cup chanterelles 1 cup quartered shiitakes 1 cup morels 1 cup cepes or porcinis 1/2 tablespoon fresh minced thyme 1 cup red wine 1 cup veal demi-glace (1 cup chicken stock with 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce) 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
• In a hot saute pan coated with oil, caramelize the shallots. Season. Add the crimini mushrooms first and cook for 1 minute. Add the remaining mushrooms and thyme. Check for seasoning. Deglaze with red wine. Let reduce by 75 percent then add the demi-glace. Simmer slowly for 20 minutes. Whisk in butter and keep hot for serving.
• Yield: 4 servings
• Suggested Wine: Sebastopol Vineyards, Dutton Ranch, Russian River, Pinot Noir, 1995