Sottha Khunns Roasted Foie Gras With Figs And Grapes Food

FOIE GRAS, PEANUT, AND GRAPES

Steps:

• Pass the softened foie gras through a tamis or fine mesh sieve into a large bowl. Mix the salt, sugar, pink salt, five spice powder, brandy, and port into the foie gras. Divide evenly among three vacuum-sealed bags, each weighing about 9 ounces each. Let cure in the refrigerator for at least 2 days.
• To make the smoked foie gras custard:
• Remove the foie gras from one of the vacuum-sealed bags. Place it in a slotted pan. Light 2 pieces of fig wood over a burner, set the smoking branches in a large roasting pan, and place 4 large ring molds or ramekins in four corners of the pan. Set a wire rack on top of the molds, and a bag of ice on the wire rack. Finally, put the slotted pan over the ice and cover it quickly with tinfoil. Let it cold-smoke for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the cream, reduced sauterne, and veal demiglace in a saucepan. In a blender, emulsify the smoked foie gras and bloomed gelatin. Transfer to a bowl and chill completely. Whisk in the eggs and yolks. Adjust the salt and pepper if needed. Pour into ramekins. Set the ramekins in a roasting pan lined with towels and filled with 1/2-inch of water. Bake about 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway. Let cool.
• To make the grape tuile:
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a coffee grinder, grind the isomalt, grape instant drink powder, and sable dough together. Sift onto a silicone-lined baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes. While still warm cut into rounds.
• To make the mille feuille:
• Bring the 2 remaining vacuum-sealed bags of cured foie gras to room temperature. Fill two small flat pans of equal size with the foie gras. Smooth the tops, and keep refrigerated as you prepare the other components.
• In a pot, combine the peanut butter, water, and peanuts. When it's warm, add 4 sheets of the bloomed gelatin. Set aside. In another pot, heat the grape juice and add the remaining 4 sheets of gelatin. Set aside.
• Smear the peanut butter gelee atop one of the sheets of foie gras, and carefully place the other sheet of foie gras on top. Press down gently to adhere the two sides. Refrigerate until cold. Pour the grape gelee mixture over the exposed layer of foie gras and let set. Refrigerate. Slice into small squares using a hot knife.
• To shave the foie gras:
• Chill the end piece of the foie gras lobe very well and slice on a deli slicer very thin. It will curl up into small tubes. Set aside in the refrigerator.
• To make the grape gel:
• In a saucepan, bring the grape juice to a boil and reduce until concentrated and very flavorful, and reduced by about one-quarter. Season with vinegar and salt, to taste. Measure the liquid. For every 100 milliliter (3.4 ounces) of liquid, use 1 gram (scant 1/4 teaspoon) of agar. Add the agar to the liquid and bring to a boil while whisking. Let set up in cooler. Once it's set, blend the gelee until thick, adding grape juice to thin it, if needed. Adjust the seasoning.
• To sear the foie gras:
• Coat the foie gras with flour. In a small saute pan, melt the duck fat and sear the foie gras. Top with the peanuts.
• To plate, arrange each component on a plate.

SOTTHA KHUNN'S ROASTED FOIE GRAS WITH FIGS AND GRAPES

Steps:

• Season the foie gras on both sides and place in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag. Add the port and the Cognac, seal the bag and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours, turning occasionally.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Heat a large, shallow ovenproof skillet in the oven for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, remove the foie gras from the bag, reserve the marinade and pat the liver dry with paper towels. Place the foie gras, smooth side down, in the hot pan and roast 10 minutes. Turn carefully and roast for 10 minutes more. Remove the foie gras to a warm plate. Cover.
• In the same pan, add the figs and roast 5 minutes. Add the grapes and roast another 5 minutes. Remove the fruit and drain.
• Discard the fat from the pan, add the marinade and heat over medium-high heat, stirring until the mixture boils. Lower the heat and simmer until the sauce is thick and syrupy, about 15 minutes. Add the duck stock and continue to simmer until the mixture is reduced to about 3/4 cup, about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a small saucepan. Season with salt.
• To serve, add the fruit to the sauce and warm over medium heat. Slice the foie gras into 12 pieces. Arrange them on 6 plates and spoon the fruit sauce over the slices.

PAN-SEARED FOIE GRAS WITH FIGS AND PORT WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Carefully pull apart the 2 lobes of the foie gras with your hands and remove the veins that are lodged between them. Using a sharp knife dipped in boiling water, cut each lobe into 1-inch medallions, approximately 6 (4-ounce) slices. Score the top of each medallion in a diamond pattern and season with salt and pepper. Sear the medallions in a hot, dry pan for 30 seconds per side, seasoned side down first. Remove to a warmed platter lined with paper towels to drain.
• Lower heat to medium and pour out a bit of the rendered duck fat. Fry the bread rounds until brown, about 2 minutes each side, set aside. Wipe out the pan and coat with olive oil. Brown the figs, cut side down, then add the shallots and tarragon. Cook for 2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with port, juice of 1/2 orange and balsamic vinegar, cook down, about 3 minutes. Finish off the sauce with butter, a pinch of sugar, orange zest, salt and pepper.
• Combine the endive, arugula and chives together in a small bowl. Toss with remaining orange juice, lemon juice and olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Arrange a handful of salad on each plate and lay the toast on top. Carefully place a foie gras medallion on each toast round. Top with figs, drizzle with port wine sauce. Garnish with chives and serve at once.