Banana Avocado Mousse With Caramelized Red Onion Puree Food

BANANA MOUSSE WITH CARDAMOM CREME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• Crush cardamom seeds with the back of a heavy knife and combine, outer shells and all, with cream in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. In top of a double boiler whisk yolks with sugar until sugar dissolves. Cook eggs over simmering water, whisking constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat and gradually strain cream into yolks, whisking. Pour sauce back into top of double boiler and cook, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes until thickened. Temperature of sauce should not exceed 165 degrees F or it will curdle. Remove sauce from heat and continue to stir for 3 minutes to cool. Strain into a clean bowl and cool to room temperature, stirring frequently. Cover and chill.
• In food processor combine banana and sugar and puree. Scrape puree into a bowl and gently fold in whipped cream. Cover and chill 1 to 2 hours. To serve, mound mousse in centers of 4 dessert plates. Pour some cardamom sauce around and serve immediately, garnished with mint.

FRESH HERB ROASTED CHICKEN WITH BURNT ORANGE-BLACK PEPPER SAUCE AND GREEN ONION PUREE

Steps:

• Place herbs under the skin of the breast of the chicken. Rub the chickens with olive oil and marinate covered in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Truss the chickens and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place the chickens on a rack and roast for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and continue roasting for 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest.
• Place orange juice in a medium saucepan and cook over high heat until reduced to a thick caramelized syrup. Place chicken stock in a medium saucepan and cook until reduced by 3/4. Add the stock to the orange juice and cook for 5 minutes. Whisk in butter and pepper. Season with salt to taste.
• Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Fold the puree into the mashed potatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste.

MARINATED PORTOBELLO STUFFED WHOLE CHICKEN WITH ROASTED SWEET POTATOES AND RED ONION

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Start at the cavity end of the chicken and work your finger underneath the skin. Using 2 fingers, gently separate the skin from the entire breast and then work your way to the thighs and legs.
• Take the portobello mushroom slices and lay them flat underneath the skin over the breast and thighs. Do this until all the slices of mushrooms are underneath the skin. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Place the chicken in a roasting pan.
• Place the sweet potatoes and red onion in a bowl. Coat lightly with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and toss. Place the potatoes and onions around the chicken and cook for about 1 hour, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone, reads 165 degrees F. When the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes.
• Slice and enjoy!
• Brush the mushrooms carefully with a paper towel to get rid of the excess dirt. Using a spoon, carefully scrape out the gills from the underside of the portobello cap.
• Slice the mushroom in half along the perimeter (like you are butterflying it) so you have 2 thin rounds, and then place them in a large bowl.
• In a saute pan add the oil and place over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the garlic and the shallot and cook for no more than 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, honey, salt, and pepper and whisk vigorously.
• Pour the mixture over the mushrooms and with your hands toss gently to coat, making sure there is even coverage.
• Let the mushrooms stand at room temperature for at least 45 minutes.

AVOCADO, CARAMELIZED BANANA CUPCAKE

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 cupcake baking pans with paper liners.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl; set aside. Beat the sugar, butter and pureed avocado until completely combined in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat in the vanilla, then beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Beat in the buttermilk with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Add the flour mixture. Once all the flour is incorporated, increase the mixing speed to medium and beat for 20 seconds longer. Be careful not to over-mix.
• Divide the batter among the pans and bake until golden on top and a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool in the pans on wire racks for 10 minutes before inverting, removing papers and cooling completely.
• For the buttercream frosting: Beat the powdered sugar and egg whites for about 5 minutes on medium-high speed using an electric mixer. Puree the avocado and lime juice in a food processor. Add the butter to the whites mixture and beat until very creamy, about 10 minutes, then add the avocado and lime juice and mix well.
• For the streusel: Cream together the butter, sugar and almond paste using an electric mixer. Add the vanilla and cinnamon and mix well. Add the flour and toasted oats in batches until large crumbs start forming.
• For the caramelized bananas: Make a dry caramel by pouring the sugar in an even layer into a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the caramel starts to melt, gently pushing the sugar towards the center. Continue cooking, stirring only very occasionally, until the caramel turns a dark copper, taking care that the caramel doesn't burn. Transfer to a bowl, stir in the bananas until coated and caramelized, and then stir in the butter, cream and cinnamon.
• For assembly: Remove the centers of the cupcakes using a melon baller and fill with the caramelized bananas. Pipe the avocado-lime frosting on top, sprinkle with the oats streusel and garnish with lime zest on top.

OLIVE OIL-POACHED SALMON WITH DIJON APPLE PUREE AND COUSCOUS CAKE

Steps:

• In a saucepot over medium heat, cook the apples in apple juice. When the apples are soft, drain the apples, but reserve the juice. Add the apples to a blender with Dijon mustard. Blend on high, adding the reserved juice, a little at a time, until smooth.
• Pour the couscous into a large bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups boiling water to the couscous, cover, and let stand 10 minutes. Then, stir in the parsley, tarragon, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season the mixture with salt, and pepper, to taste. Add the eggs and flour, and mix until thick and sticky. Form the mixture into 4 evenly portioned patties. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 4 tablespoons olive oil. Cook the cakes in the hot oil until golden brown, flipping halfway through, and drain on paper towels to remove the excess oil. Keep the couscous cakes warm.
• In a large, deep saucepan, combine 1 quart olive oil with a good pinch of salt, and white pepper and bring to a simmer. Season the salmon fillets with salt, and black pepper and add them to the oil in the pot, making sure they are completely submerged. Add more olive oil, if needed. Simmer over low heat and remove the salmon after 15 minutes. Cook's Note: The salmon will be cooked medium at this point. If you want it well done, keep on cooking it for 5 more minutes.
• To serve, place a bit of spinach or arugula on each plate, top with a couscous cake and the salmon. Top the salmon with a spoonful of apple puree. Serve warm.