Moira Hodgsons Sorrel Soup Food

SCHAV

Steps:

• Stem and wash the sorrel, and cut the leaves into ribbons. Peel the potatoes and cut them into half-inch dice. Cut the leek in half, chop it and wash it thoroughly.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan, and cook the leek for two minutes over medium heat. Add the sorrel and potatoes and cook for five minutes. Add the stock, two cups water, salt and pepper to taste, and the sugar, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes are very tender.
• Puree the soup in a blender or food processor. (A blender works better than a food processor; if you use the processor, puree the solids first and gradually add the liquids). Stir in the cream and chill the soup for at least an hour. Just before serving, add the lemon juice and additional sugar and salt, if necessary - the soup should be refreshingly tart but a little sweet. Serve schav in bowls with dollops of sour cream. Garnish each bowl with chopped scallions.

MOIRA HODGSON'S SORREL SOUP

Steps:

• In a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter and soften the shallots. Add the potatoes, water and chicken stock and season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer gently until the potatoes are soft.
• Meanwhile, wash the sorrel, discard the stems and chop the leaves coarsely. When the potatoes are cooked, add the sorrel to the saucepan and cook, stirring, until the sorrel has wilted. Bring to a boil, turn heat down and simmer gently for five minutes.
• Remove the soup from the heat and puree it in batches in a food processor. Allow it to cool.
• Stir in the buttermilk and chill the soup overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to serve the soup, swirl in the cream and correct the seasoning. Garnish with chopped sorrel leaves sprinkled on top.

BEEF TONGUE WITH RAISIN SAUCE

Steps:

• Simmer the tongue in water to cover with one onion, coarsely chopped, the carrots, celery and garlic, for about three hours or until tender. Turn off heat and leave the tongue in its cooking broth while you prepare the sauce.
• Chop the remaining onion and saute in the butter in a small pan. Add the raisins and the almonds and fry until the almonds are golden brown.
• Stir in the vinegar and tomato paste, then add the Madeira and stock. Simmer for three minutes to reduce slightly, season with salt and pepper to taste and keep warm.
• Peel the tongue and slice it. Arrange the slices on a serving platter and pour the sauce over the top.

SORREL SAUCE

Steps:

• Wash the sorrel and spinach and discard the stems. Chop the leaves coarsely. Soften the shallot in the butter in a saucepan. Add the sorrel with the spinach and cook until they have wilted.
• Add the chicken stock or water, bring to a boil and simmer for five minutes. Add the cream and puree the mixture in a food processor or blender. If you are using the sauce right away, return it to the saucepan and season to taste with salt and pepper. If you are serving the sauce chilled, refrigerate it for at least two hours.

RIGATONI WITH SAUSAGE AND WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Soak the porcini in a bowl of one-and-a-half cups boiling water or broth for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using a heavy skillet, brown the sausage pieces. Remove them from the pan and drain them on paper towel.
• Saute the onion and the garlic in the olive oil until soft.
• Trim the stalks from the mushrooms. Wash off any grit under cold running water or use a soft brush or clean towel (do not soak the fresh mushrooms or they will become soggy). Slice them into one-and-a-half-inch pieces.
• Drain the porcini through a coffee filter, cheese cloth or paper towel, reserving the soaking liquid. Chop the porcini and add them with their soaking liquid to the onion, along with the tomato paste, chicken stock and herbs. Season lightly with salt and pepper and simmer gently for half an hour. If the sauce gets too thick add more stock. If it is too thin, turn up the heat.
• Meanwhile, bring six quarts water to boil for the rigatoni. Cook the rigatoni, drain and place the pasta in a heated bowl. Pour the sauce on top and toss thoroughly. Serve immediately. Pass the cheese separately.

RISOTTO MILANESE

Steps:

• In large heavy saucepan or skillet, soften shallots in butter. Add rice and cook over fairly high heat, stirring constantly, until grains turn opaque.
• Add dissolved saffron and wine and stir well to prevent rice from sticking to bottom of pan. When liquid has evaporated, add a ladle of hot broth. Repeat this procedure until rice is almost tender but firm. If you run out of stock, add warm water instead.
• Turn off heat and season risotto with salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese to taste. Serve immediately with more cheese passed separately.