Apricot Mignonette Food

CLASSIC MIGNONETTE RECIPE

Steps:

• Using a small, sharp knife, trim shallot ends, leaving root end attached. Cut shallots in half, peel and discard skins. Using your hands, remove the core from each shallot half, leaving layered petals of shallot. Set cores aside for another use.
• Cut shallot petals into pieces that can lie flat on the cutting board, and position them vertically on the board, with root ends farthest from you. Starting with the tip of your knife just below the root end, slice shallot petals into thin strips from pole to pole, leaving them barely attached at root end.
• Rotate shallot petals 90 degrees and cut across the thin strips to make very finely diced pieces. Using bench scraper, transfer minced shallots to small bowl; discard root end scraps. Pour vinegar over shallots, and set bowl aside.
• In a small skillet over medium heat, toast peppercorns until fragrant and warm to the touch, shaking skillet occasionally to ensure that they toast evenly and don't burn, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer peppercorns to small bowl and let them cool for 1 minute.
• Crack peppercorns into rough halves and quarters. You can use a mortar and pestle; or a large mallet, meat pounder, or the bottom of a skillet or saucepan to crush them (doing this in a rimmed baking sheet, or wrapping the peppercorns in a clean kitchen towel, will help contain them).
• Add cracked peppercorns to bowl with shallots and vinegar, and stir to combine. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour to allow flavors to marry. If you are not planning to serve immediately, transfer mignonette to the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to 3 days. Serve with oysters on the half-shell.

MIGNONETTE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients and chill. Serve with chilled oysters or clams on the half shell.

APRICOT MIGNONETTE

Steps:

• Combine the shallots, cracked pepper, dried apricots, white wine, and cider vinegar in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt. Stir well to combine, and set aside. Divide into four small bowls, and garnish with tarragon before serving.

MIGNONETTE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the ingredients in a glass or stainless-steel bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and store at room temperature overnight. Mignonette sauce will keep for months in the refrigerator.

BAY SCALLOPS EN PAPILLOTE

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shallots, and cook, stirring occasionally, until clear and translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and thyme; saute until fork tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Heat oven to 500 degrees. Slice potatoes very thin, preferably using a mandoline. Brush a baking sheet with clarified butter, and arrange potato slices in a single layer. Brush the top of each potato with remaining clarified butter. Season with salt and pepper. Bake in oven, 5 to 7 minutes. (Leave the oven on for the packages.)
• While potatoes cook, prepare leeks. In a large nonstick skillet over low heat, melt remaining 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Add leeks, orange zest, ground coriander, and mirin. Cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are tender, clear, and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Fold four 10-by-16-inch rectangles of parchment in half, bringing the shorter ends together. Then cut the shape of half a heart, starting at the bottom of the fold, as if you were making a valentine. Unfold the hearts. (Each should be about 10 inches long and 8 inches wide at its widest point.)
• Assemble each package by arranging a bed of 6 to 8 potato slices on one half of the parchment heart; then add layers of 1/4 cup leeks, 1/4 cup chanterelles, 1/2 cup raw bay scallops, and a dollop of truffle butter.
• Fold the other half of the heart over the food. Seal the package by folding the two edges of the heart together; allow enough room for steam to accumulate. Place the packages on an ungreased baking sheet, and bake until the paper puffs and the contents bubble, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Place package on a plate, and cut open just before serving. Accompany each with a small bowl of apricot mignonette for dipping.

MIGNONETTE SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix together all the ingredients in a small bowl or jar until well blended. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before using. Mignonette will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month.