Toasted Brioche Rounds With Creme Fraiche And Caviar Food

TOASTED BRIOCHE ROUNDS WITH CREME FRAICHE AND CAVIAR

Steps:

• Using a 1 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut 36 rounds of brioche from slices. Place 1 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch skillet. Melt over medium heat. Add half the rounds; cook until golden, turning once, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining butter and rounds. Let cool on a wire rack or paper towel. Store rounds in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Place a dollop of creme fraiche on each round, and top with caviar.

CAVIAR AND SMOKED SALMON ON TOASTED BRIOCHE CUBES

Steps:

• Cut bread slices into about thirty 1-inch cubes. Cut salmon lengthwise into 1/2-inch-wide strips and crosswise into 4-inch-long pieces. In a large non-stick skillet heat 3 tablespoons butter over moderate heat until foam subsides and brown half of cubes on 2 opposite sides until golden, about 2 minutes, transferring to a platter. Brown remaining cubes in same manner.
• Top each cube decoratively with salmon, caviar, and crème fraîche or sour cream.

BANANA BREAD FRENCH TOAST WITH CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200 degrees (this will be to keep french toast warm later). Cut ends off bread. Cut bread into 3/4-inch-thick slices; cut each slice in half on the diagonal to make triangular pieces. Set aside.
• Mix milk, eggs, vanilla, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a shallow dish or pie plate; set aside.
• Heat a large non-stick griddle or skillet over medium heat until hot. Add 1/2 tablespoon oil and butter to the griddle. Gently and quickly dip a couple of slices of the bread into the egg mixture to thoroughly soak both sides with the mixture; carefully transfer each bread slice to the hot pan.
• Cook until nicely golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn each slice; cook second side until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes more.
• Transfer to an ovenproof platter; keep warm in the oven cooking remaining bread using the remaining oil and butter as needed.
• Serve with powdered sugar and slices of bananas on top. Add dollops of marmalade and creme fraiche (or sour cream) to the side.

RAGOûT OF MORELS WITH CRèME FRAîCHE, SOFT HERBS, AND TOASTED BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Toss the tarragon, chervil, parsley leaves, and chives together in a small bowl and set aside, covered with a damp paper towel in the refrigerator. If the morels are large, cut them in half lengthwise.
• Heat a large sauté pan over high heat for 2 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons butter, and when it foams, scatter the morels into the pan, being careful not to overcrowd them. Sauté 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Turn down the heat to medium, and add the thyme, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and a few grindings of pepper. Let the mushrooms cook another 6 to 8 minutes, until they're crispy on the outside yet still tender. (The amount of cooking time really depends on the mushrooms; some give off more water than others, which will require a longer cooking time in order for the water to evaporate and the morels to crisp.)
• Add 1 tablespoon butter, and stir in the shallots. Cook about 2 minutes, until the shallots are translucent and tender. Turn the heat up to high, add the broth, and reduce by half. Immediately remove from the heat.
• Meanwhile, lightly butter the brioche on both sides. Heat a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat, and toast the slices on both sides until golden brown.
• Cut the brioche slices in half on the diagonal, and place them on a platter.
• When the brioche is ready, return the mushrooms to medium heat for a minute or two. Swirl in the cream, and taste for seasoning. Spoon the morels over and around the toasts-not completely covering the bread, and spilling onto the platter.
• Dollop each toast with crème fraîche and scatter the herbs over the top.