Saute Of Foie Gras With Parsnips And Sweet And Sour Cherries Food

ROASTED LEG OF LAMB WITH RED ONIONS AND SOUR CHERRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Rub the lamb leg all over with olive oil, and then the pepper and basil. Let the lamb sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes.
• Season the lamb all over with salt, set fat-side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan, and roast for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F. and continue to cook for about 1 hour. While the lamb is roasting, peel the onions, cut the ends off, and slice in half into 2 thick rings. Place into a baking pan, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and freshly ground pepper, and roast alongside the lamb for the last 30 minutes or until they are soft and caramelized. The lamb is done when a thermometer placed in the thickest part of the leg reads 120 to 125 degrees F. Transfer lamb to a cutting board and let rest 10 to 20 minutes.
• Spoon off the fat from the roasting pan. Set the pan over 2 burners, add the red wine and balsamic and reduce by half, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the beef broth and reduce until sauce reaches desired consistency. Whisk in the sour cherries and butter. Season with salt and pepper and serve with slices of lamb and red onions.

PAN FRIED SCALLOP OF FOIE GRAS WITH MAPLE SYRUP AND CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the Armagnac, maple syrup, cranberry syrup, thyme, coriander, and pepper. Marinate the foie gras scallops for 6 to 8 hours in the refrigerator. Remove the foie gras from the marinade and reserve marinade.
• In a very hot saute pan, pan-fry foie gras for approximately 1 minute each side until golden brown. Salt lightly and place on a serving platter. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate. Remove from refrigerator 20 minutes before serving to bring to room temperature.
• In a saute pan over medium-high heat, add the butter and melt. Add the shallots and saute until translucent, about 2 minutes. Deglaze with white wine and cook until the liquid is reduced by half. Add the duck broth and reduce by 1/3. Add the reserved marinade, maple syrup, and fresh cranberries. Reduce until mixture thickens and then puree until velvety smooth. Add the lemon juice and salt and pepper, to taste.
• Pour sauce over foie gras scallops and serve.

CHERRY PIE INSPIRED BY AN "OLD FASHIONED" COCKTAIL (SOUR CHERRIES STEWED WITH RAW SUGAR, BOURBON AND ORANGE BITTERS)

Steps:

• For the cherry filling: Combine the cherries, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan, combine the cherries with sugar and lemon juice. Sprinkle with the tapioca and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour into a large bowl and stir in the bourbon, almond extract and orange bitters. Let cool and refrigerate for about 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven. Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces. Roll each dough piece on a lightly-floured surface into a 12-inch disk. Gently place one disk into a 9-inch pie pan, bringing it up the sides. Make a few incisions in the middle of the remaining crust. Pour the cherry filling into the prepared pie shell. Lightly brush the border of the pie shell with water, and top with the second piecrust. Tightly seal the dough by pressing the edge with a fork or your fingers. Create some decorative touches with the scrap dough if desired to decorate the pie. Lightly brush the pastry shell with the cream and sprinkle with a little sugar. Place the pie on a larger baking sheet lined with parchment paper to catch any spills. Bake the pie until the crust is a deep golden brown color and the cherry juices are starting to bubble, 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool, and then serve with softly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

BAGUETTE STUFFED WITH BRIE AND CHERRIES

Steps:

• For the compote: In a small saucepan on medium-high heat, add the cherries, wine, salt, pepper and thyme and stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat slightly to medium. Continue to cook at a rapid simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, 25 to 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let cool, then remove the thyme sprigs.
• For the baguette: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Using a paring knife, cut a deep "v" on the top of the baguette. Pull out some of the soft bread to create a deep crevice. Place the Brie slices into the crevice, overlapping each slice. Transfer to a baking sheet.
• Bake until the cheese is melted and the bread is slightly toasted, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board. Spoon the cherry compote over the melted Brie. Slice into thick slices, garnish with the remaining thyme sprig and serve.

SAUTEED DUCK FOIE GRAS

Steps:

• After deveining, cut the foie gras crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces, then season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 teaspoon of the canola oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking.
• Sauté half the foie gras until golden, 45 to 60 seconds on each side (it will be pink inside). Quickly transfer to a paper towel to drain and discard fat in skillet.
• Sauté the rest of the foie gras the same way, then discard all all but 1 tablespoon of remaining fat in skillet. Add 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and bring to a boil. Serve foie gras with sauce.