Poached Maitake Mushrooms And Fava Beans In Parsnip Broth With Spanish Olive Oil And Epazote Food

OLIVE OIL POACHED SHRIMP WITH OLIVE TORTILLAS, CUMIN SCENTED BLACK BEANS AND TOMATILLO AVOCADO SALSA

Steps:

• For the shrimp: In a medium saucepot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the garlic and shallots and cook until translucent. Then add the black peppercorns, lemon slices, thyme and the rest of the olive oil.
• Bring to a boil, and then take off the heat. Let stand for 15 minutes to infuse the flavors.
• Return the oil to medium heat. Add the shrimp and poach until the shrimp is cooked, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the oil to cool.
• For the salad: Combine the arugula, radishes, watercress and olives in a large bowl. Toss with the olive oil and rice vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, place a warm Olive Tortilla on a plate and top with a tablespoon of the Cumin Scented Black Beans. Top with 3 pieces poached shrimp, then a small mound of the salad. Top with the Tomatillo Avocado Salsa and some cheese. Drizzle some Lime Sour Cream on top and garnish with cilantro sprigs and lime. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• In the bowl of a heavy duty mixer, place the flour, shortening, olives and salt. Beat with the paddle until crumbly, 3 to 5 minutes. With the mixer running, gradually add the warm water and continue mixing until the dough is smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 6 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place on a baking sheet or board. Cover with a towel and let rest at room temperature at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour.
• Cut out six 12-inch squares of waxed or parchment paper for stacking the tortillas. On a lightly floured board, roll each ball into a 10-inch circle and transfer to a paper square. Stack on a baking sheet or platter and refrigerate until cooking time. Uncooked tortillas can be kept in the refrigerator, well wrapped with paper squares between the layers, up to 2 days.
• To cook, heat a dry griddle or 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Carefully peel off the paper and cook the tortillas, one at a time, until puffy and slightly brown, 30 to 45 seconds per side. Set aside to cool slightly on a towel-lined platter.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, garlic and onions and cook until translucent. Add the cumin and pepper flakes and cook for another minute. Add the beans, 1/4 cup water and season with salt and pepper. Stir together and cook over low heat for 15 minutes to infuse the flavors.
• To finish, blend about 1/3 of the beans with a touch of water to make a thick paste. Stir this paste back into the whole beans. Just before serving, stir in the cilantro.
• Combine the tomatillos, avocados, scallions, jalapeno, cilantro, olive oil and lime juice and mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
• Combine the sour cream, lime zest and juice and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.

FAVA BEANS WITH LEEKS & MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat the butter (margarine) in a skillet.medium heat.
• Add the leeks, mushrooms, chili flakes and garlic.
• Saute for 3 minutes.
• Add the fava beans and water.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
• Stir once or twice.

POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS, FAVAS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Make the polenta as directed, and while it is baking, cook the mushrooms and tomatoes.
• Prepare the fava beans. Shell them while you bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Drop the beans into the water, and boil small favas for one minute, large favas for two, then transfer at once to a bowl of ice-cold water. Drain. Remove the skins, using your thumbnail to open up the skin at the spot where the bean is attached to the pod, then gently squeezing out the bean.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the mushrooms, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms are moist and beginning to soften, about five minutes. Add the wine, turn up the heat and cook, stirring, until the liquid in the pan has reduced and glazed the mushrooms. Stir in the tomatoes, add salt and pepper to taste, and bring to a simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down (there should still be some liquid in the pan) and the mixture is fragrant, about 10 minutes. Add the skinned fava beans and continue to simmer for five to 10 minutes. Taste, adjust seasonings, and remove from the heat.
• When the polenta is ready, remove from the heat, spoon onto plates and make a depression in the middle. Top with the mushrooms, favas and tomatoes, and sprinkle with basil and Parmesan. Serve at once.

POACHED PEACHES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved. Add lemon juice and peaches. Simmer until peaches are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, about 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat, and let peaches cool in the poaching liquid. Using a slotted spoon, remove peaches from poaching liquid, peel, discarding skins. Slice peach halves into 6 wedges each. Transfer peaches and poaching liquid to a bowl. Cover; refrigerate until chilled.