Warm Porcini Salad With Mesclun And Black Truffle Vinaigrette Recipes

BLACK TRUFFLE OMELETS

Steps:

• Cut truffles into slices slightly less than 1/8 inch thick with slicer.
• Whisk eggs in a bowl until foamy, then add truffles and gently stir until combined. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill 1 hour to allow eggs to absorb truffle flavor. Add salt and pepper.
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 200°F.
• Heat 1/2 tablespoon butter in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over moderately low heat until foam subsides.
• Stir egg mixture gently, then pour 1/2 cup egg mixture into skillet and cook, lifting up cooked egg around edge occasionally with a heatproof plastic spatula to let raw egg flow underneath, until omelet is set but top is still slightly moist, about 2 minutes. Fold omelet in half using spatula, then transfer to an ovenproof plate. Cover omelet loosely with foil, then transfer plate to oven to keep warm.
• Make 3 more omelets in same manner, transferring to plate in oven as cooked.
• *Available at AQUIPROfoods (571-278-4766; fresh truffles available December to March).

PORCINI, ARTICHOKE AND FOIE GRAS SALAD

Steps:

• Remove the tough outer leaves of the artichoke and remove the choke with a spoon. Slice the artichoke hearts into thin slices (about 1/8-inch thick).
• Clean the porcini mushrooms and remove the stems. Cut into "batonnets" slices that are 1 1/2 inch long by 1/4-inch thick.
• In a saute pan saute the artichokes in 2 tablespoons olive oil, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until the artichokes are slightly caramelized. In another pan, saute the mushrooms in 3 tablespoons olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper until they are slightly caramelized.
• Lightly flour the foie gras on both sides. Sear in a medium hot, dry saute pan about one minute on each side.
• To plate the dish, place one cup of greens on each plate. Evenly divide the artichokes and mushrooms and place on top of the greens. Top each with a slice of foie, sprinkling a line of coarse salt over the top of each foie piece. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the Vinaigrette over each salad. Sprinkle with walnuts.
• Combine the lemon juice, soy sauce and truffle juice. Whisk in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

WILD MUSHROOM SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Put the mushrooms in a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet, toss with 2 tablespoons of the oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven, stirring a few times, until soft and golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the remaining 1/2 cup oil, the vinegar, thyme, and chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette in a small bowl.
• Add the warm mushrooms to the remaining vinaigrette, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to marinate.
• Put the quinoa grains into a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water for 1 minute. Drain well. Transfer the quinoa to a medium saucepan. Add 2 cups cold water and 1 tablespoon salt, cover the pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the quinoa is tender and the water has evaporated, about 18 minutes. Turn off the heat and let stand for 10 minutes without lifting the cover. Spoon the quinoa into the marinated mushrooms and stir to combine.
• Put the greens in a large bowl, toss with the reserved balsamic vinaigrette, and season with salt and pepper. Divide the greens among 4 large plates and top the greens with some of the quinoa-mushroom salad. Drizzle the quinoa salad with the truffle oil, if using, season with additional pepper, and garnish with parsley leaves.
• Spread some of the caramelized shallots over the toasted bread and top with a slice of cheese. Place 3 croutons around the perimeter of each plate.
• Melt the butter with the oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Add the sugar and vinegar and cook until the mixture thickens and becomes jamlike, about 15 minutes. If the mixture becomes too thick to spread, stir in a tablespoon or so of water.
• Add the thyme and season with salt and pepper. Remove and let cool to room temperature. The marmalade will keep for 2 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.

MESCLUN SALAD WITH TRUFFLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together all ingredients except mesclun in a large bowl until combined. Just before serving, add greens and toss to coat.

TRUFFLE DRESSING/ HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare the vinaigrette by combining the olive oil, truffle oil, white wine vinegar, and sugar.
• Season with salt and pepper and reserve.
• Clean and thoroughly dry the mesclun mix.
• Combine the mesclun, radicchio, parsley, and dill and toss thoroughly.
• Just before serving, whisk the vinaigrette vigorously and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.
• Toss the salad with the vinaigrette and arrange on plates.
• Serve immediately.

WARM PORCINI SALAD WITH MESCLUN AND BLACK-TRUFFLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the vinegars, mustard and truffle juice in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the truffle oil. (You should obtain an emulsified vinaigrette thick enough to coat the back of a spoon; if too thick, whisk in more truffle juice or water.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• To make the salad, clean dirt from the mushrooms and, depending on their size, either slice them or cut into julienne. Set aside.
• In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and cook until it just begins to turn brown. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, only until thoroughly warm and slightly tender. Add the shallots and remove from heat. Transfer the mushrooms to a mixing bowl and toss with half the vinaigrette and half the chives. Season with salt and pepper.
• In another bowl, toss the greens with the remaining vinaigrette and chives. Divide among 4 plates and top with mushrooms. Serve immediately.