Poached River Char With Pearl Barley Winter Root Vegetables Napa Riesling Chive Veloute Food

POACHED RED PEARS IN PORT WINE

Steps:

• Peel and core the pears. Place them in a saucepot with anise and Port wine. Bring to a boil and cook until the alcohol is burned off - be careful as the mixture may ignite. Once alcohol is burned off, drop heat to a simmer and add in the pears, making sure they are fully submerged. Pears should simmer for at least 35 to 40 minutes. Remove the pears once they are tender. Return the port to a simmer and cook until reduced by 3/4 and syrupy.
• In a small saucepan, place ginger root and 4 to 5 tablespoons of sugar. Cook until sugar caramelizes. Remove from the heat and place on a parchment lined sheet pan to cool.
• Melt chocolate over a double-boiler.
• Whip cream to stiff peaks. Sweeten with powdered sugar and a pinch of cinnamon. Set aside to chill.
• Use the reduced wine as a sauce or garnish. Once pears are done and tender, place on plate. Fill with chocolate and top with whipped cream. Garnish with candied ginger and drizzle with reduced wine. Serve warm.

PAN SEARED HALIBUT WITH GARLIC CHIVE SPAETZLE, LOBSTER AND FAVA BEANS WITH A WILD MUSHROOM VELOUTE

Steps:

• Mix milk, flour, 5 whole eggs, nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of salt and freshly ground pepper and minced garlic until the dough forms. Allow to rest for 30 minutes. Over a pot of salted boiling water, pass the dough through a perforated pan or spaetzle maker. Once the dumplings float, strain out of the water and place them on a tray until room temperature. Moisten with a little oil and store for up to 2 days, refrigerated.
• In a pot place 2 tablespoons of butter, 2 shallots, 1 cup of leeks and 1 cup of mushrooms and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. Then add the fish stock and reduce by half. Add your 1-quart of cream and reduce by another two thirds. Place in a blender until smooth and pass through a strainer. Adjust with salt and pepper.
• You will need 2 pans for cooking and a small pot for your sauce. In a pan on medium-high heat, add the oil and allow 30 seconds to heat up. Then place the fillet of fish away from you in a pan so it doesn't splash you. While the fish is cooking, put the other pan on high heat, place half of the butter and allow to brown slightly. Once slightly brown add the spatzle and allow to cook for about 1 1/2 minutes. At this stage add the fava beans and lobster; allow to cook for no more than 2 minutes.
• Your fish should be almost cooked by this point with a nice golden brown crust, flip and finish for 1 minute. Place the sauces on warm plates with the spatzle saute in the middle and the drained fish on top.

SPECKLED BUTTER BEANS AND COUNTRY HAM IN LEMON VELOUTE

Steps:

• In a heavy pan, bring the water to a boil and add the butter beans. When the water returns to a boil, turn the heat down and let the beans simmer for about 45 minutes, or until the skins are tender and the insides creamy, and most of the water has boiled off. While the beans are simmering, make the lemon veloute. In a small pan, heat the chicken stock. Fill the bottom of a double boiler with water, and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, in the top of the double-boiler, set directly over low heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. Cook, whisking, for five minutes, then slowly whisk in the hot stock. Place over the boiling water and cook for 45 to 50 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep a crust from forming on top. When the beans are done, add the country ham pieces and cook until the ham is just warmed. Meanwhile, remove the beans from the heat, add the lemon juice, and salt to taste. Remove the beans from the heat, pour the veloute over the beans, and mix well. Serve immediately.