Saute Of Foie Gras With Parsnips And Sweet And Sour Cherries Recipes

Steps:

• After deveining, cut the foie gras crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces, then season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 teaspoon of the canola oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking.
• Sauté half the foie gras until golden, 45 to 60 seconds on each side (it will be pink inside). Quickly transfer to a paper towel to drain and discard fat in skillet.
• Sauté the rest of the foie gras the same way, then discard all all but 1 tablespoon of remaining fat in skillet. Add 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and bring to a boil. Serve foie gras with sauce.

Steps:

• Season sea scallop on top and bottom with salt and five spice. Score foie gras medallion, season with salt and white pepper.
• In a very hot saute pan, add 1 tablespoon of the grapeseed oil and heat until just starting to smoke. Add scallops, sear on 1 side until crust forms, turn, sear until crust forms, cook until medium in center of scallop.
• Simultaneously, in another very hot saute pan, add 1 teaspoon grapeseed oil, allow to smoke. Add the foie gras and sear until crust forms on both sides, golden brown to medium dark brown, keep center foie gras rare to medium rare, about 1 minute per side. Remove foie gras from pan, place on paper towel to absorb excess oil. Warm parsnip puree in saute pan over low heat.
• Spoon 1 tablespoon warm parsnip puree in center of warm plate. Ladle or spoon port wine fig sauce around parsnip puree. Place scallop on parsnip puree. Place foie gras medallion on scallop, sprinkle sel gris on foie gras. Optional garnish may be a sprig or chervil or chives.
• In hot saute pan with no oil, place all whole spices to roast. Roast spices until browned evenly, stirring constantly, cook spices evenly allowing oils and flavors to intensify. When thoroughly browned to the "just before burned" point, remove from pan and allow to cool. When cooled, either grind in coffee or spice grinder or mash with mortar and pestle.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a medium size saucepot, combine all puree ingredients except chives. Mix well, and cover with foil. Place in the oven for approximately 1 1/2 hours, until figs are very tender and liquid has reduced by 1/2.
• Remove from oven, puree cooked figs in food processor on medium speed, pulsing until chunky texture is achieved. Texture should be similar to cooked oatmeal, not too chunky, not too smooth, small chunks are okay. Remove from processor and allow to cool.
• Add chives. Fig puree may be stored in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.
• In medium saucepot, bring the tawny port wine to a simmer and allow to reduce by 1/2. volume. Whisk in the fig puree and lower the heat. Add the butter, cut into small pieces, whisking over low heat until butter emulsifies and sauce is creamy. Season with salt and white pepper. Reserve sauce warm. Do not allow sauce to cool as butter will solidify and if reheated, sauce will break.
• In medium saucepot, cover parsnips with water, add pinch of salt, bring to boil, reduce heat to a simmer until parsnips are fork tender. Drain parsnips and reserve cooking liquid. Place parsnips in blender; add butter and 1-ounce of cooking liquid. Puree, add heavy cream and puree again until very smooth. Scrape down sides of blender with spatula. Add salt and white pepper, to taste. Texture should be very smooth with no lumps. Allow to cool, reserve.

Steps:

• Carefully pull apart the 2 lobes of the foie gras with your hands and remove the veins that are lodged between them. Using a sharp knife dipped in boiling water, cut each lobe into 1-inch medallions, approximately 6 (4-ounce) slices. Score the top of each medallion in a diamond pattern and season with salt and pepper. Sear the medallions in a hot, dry pan for 30 seconds per side, seasoned side down first. Remove to a warmed platter lined with paper towels to drain.
• Lower heat to medium and pour out a bit of the rendered duck fat. Fry the bread rounds until brown, about 2 minutes each side, set aside. Wipe out the pan and coat with olive oil. Brown the figs, cut side down, then add the shallots and tarragon. Cook for 2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with port, juice of 1/2 orange and balsamic vinegar, cook down, about 3 minutes. Finish off the sauce with butter, a pinch of sugar, orange zest, salt and pepper.
• Combine the endive, arugula and chives together in a small bowl. Toss with remaining orange juice, lemon juice and olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Arrange a handful of salad on each plate and lay the toast on top. Carefully place a foie gras medallion on each toast round. Top with figs, drizzle with port wine sauce. Garnish with chives and serve at once.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the parsnips and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, turning occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes. Then add the carrots and continue cooking until the vegetables begin to brown and soften slightly, another 10 minutes.
• Add the butter and thyme to the vegetables and continue cooking until the vegetables are glazed, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with the parsley and serve warm.

Steps:

• Slice parsnips as thin as possible. Use a mandoline if you have one, on the thinnest setting.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add parsnips, garlic, spices, and salt. Saute on medium to low heat until parsnips become tender and transparent. The parsnips have a tendency to absorb the oil, so be prepared to add a little more if the parsnips begin to stick to the bottom. Do not cook too fast. You want them to get thoroughly cooked without getting burned.
• When the parsnips begin to look done, add the butter and sugar. Continue to saute until slightly browned.