Black Pepper Crème Fraîche Food

SPRING GREENS WITH BLACK PEPPER & CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Cut the trimmed spring greens in half lengthways. Bring a wide, shallow pan of salted water to the boil and add the spring greens. Bring back to the boil and cook briefly, about 1-2 minutes, then drain well.
• Mix the crème fraîche in the pan with a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and bring almost to the boil. Carefully add the spring greens so they don't overlap too much and reheat gently.
• Transfer the greens to a warmed shallow dish and spoon over the crème fraîche. Sprinkle with a little black pepper and serve immediately.

BLACK PEPPER CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Combine the cream and buttermilk in a measuring pitcher and stir until you get a thick yogurt consistency. Transfer to a jar, cover with cheesecloth or muslin, and secure with a rubber band. Leave at room temperature for 12 hours.
• The crème fraîche is now ready to use. If you want to drain off some liquid so it is thicker, spoon it into a sieve lined with a coffee filter placed over a bowl, and put the setup in the fridge for a few hours. Add the pepper to the cream just before serving.

POACHED OYSTERS IN ANISE-FLAVORED CREAM WITH BLACK PEPPER CREME FRAICHE AND CAVIAR

Steps:

• Combine the creme fraiche, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper in a small bowl, and mix well. Transfer to a fine mesh strainer and place over a bowl. Let the mixture drain, refrigerated, for up to 2 hours. Cover until needed.
• Drain the oysters in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl, and reserve their liquid to equal 1 1/2 cups.
• Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add cayenne pepper. Add the heavy cream, the 1 1/2 cups oyster liquor, and the liqueur, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer until reduced by 50 percent in volume, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add half of the spinach to the cream and puree with an immersion blender, or in batches in a blender or food processor. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a large clean saute pan, and keep warm.
• Heat the oil in a medium stockpot to 350 degrees F.
• Add the remaining spinach to the pot in batches and fry until crispy, about 45 seconds. With a slotted spoon remove the cooked spinach and drain on paper towels. Season lightly with salt to taste.
• Add the oysters to the sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until the edges of the oysters start to curl, about 3 minutes, depending upon their size. Remove from the heat.
• To serve, arrange 6 oysters around the inner edge of a shallow, rimmed soup bowl like the spokes of a wheel, and spoon 1/2 cup of sauce around the oysters.
• Spoon a dollop of Black Pepper Creme Fraiche into the center of the bowl, top with a teaspoon of the Beluga caviar, and garnish with fried spinach. Repeat with the remaining ingredients and serve.

LITTLE SMOKED SALMON CUCUMBER CUPS WITH PEPPERED CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Cut the cucumber into 1 1/2 inch slices, and carefully hollow out the centre (with any seeds) with a pointed teaspoon, so you are left with a shallow hollow.
• Mix the lemon zest and black pepper with the crème fraiche and adjust seasoning to taste, adding the black pepper bit by bit to ensure a favourable taste! (We like ours quite peppery!) I have not suggested salt as the smoked salmon is salty, but do add salt to taste if you wish.
• Spoon a little seasoned crème fraiche into each cucumber cup, about 1 teaspoon per cup.
• Cut the smoked salmon into 6-inch long strips and about 1/2 inch wide, and curl them around to make a little circle, then place the circle of smoked salmon on top of the crème fraiche.
• Garnish with lemon slices if you wish, or with dill or parsley. Makes about 30 according to size of cucumber.
• You can prepare the cucumber cups and crème fraiche several hours beforehand- cover them and store them in the fridge; assemble them just before you are ready to serve them.

SMOKED SALMON WITH BLACK PEPPER POTATO CHIPS

Steps:

• Stir crème fraìche and lemon peel in small bowl. Arrange potato chips on plate. Divide salmon among chips. Spoon rounded 1/2 teaspoon lemon crème fraìche atop salmon on each chip and sprinkle with chives.