Tom Colicchios Crab Meat And Celery Root Napoleon Food

TOM COLICCHIO'S CRAB-MEAT-AND-CELERY-ROOT NAPOLEON

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the curry powder and mustard. Beat in the vinegar, then slowly add the grape-seed oil to make a well-emulsified dressing. Set aside.
• Peel the celery root. Cut into 3 sections horizontally, making the middle section about 2 inches thick. Slice the middle section into 12 thin, large disks, wrap them in plastic wrap and reserve. Cut the other 2 sections, along with any of the celery root remaining from the middle section, into small dice.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the diced celery root and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until just tender. Drain and refresh under cold water. Drain well and set aside.
• Pick over the crab meat to remove any stray bits of cartilage. In a bowl, mix the crab meat with the cooked, diced celery root and the tomatoes. Reserve 6 of the chives, finely chop the rest and mix them in. Beat the dressing and fold half of it into the crab-meat salad. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Heat the peanut oil in a wok or a skillet until very hot. Dry the reserved celery root disks on paper towels if necessary and fry the slices, turning them once, until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
• To assemble, place a round of celery root on each of 6 plates, top each with a portion of the crab-meat salad, then with another round of celery root. Mix the remaining dressing again and pour it around each of the napoleons. Cut the reserved chives in half and place two pieces across the top of each celery-root disk.

TOM COLICCHIO'S HERB-BUTTER TURKEY

Steps:

• For gravy base:
• Melt butter in heavy large deep skillet over high heat. Add turkey necks and/or wings and sauté until deep brown, about 15 minutes. Add onions, carrots, and celery and sauté until vegetables are deep brown, about 15 minutes. Add 6 cups chicken broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Pour gravy base through strainer set over 4-cup measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract liquid. If necessary, add enough chicken broth to gravy base to measure 4 cups. (Gravy base can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm before using.)
• For turkey:
• Mix 1/2 cup butter and all minced herbs in small bowl; season herb butter with salt and pepper. Transfer 2 generous tablespoons to another small bowl and reserve for gravy; let stand at room temperature.
• Set rack at lowest position in oven and preheat to 425°F. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Starting at neck end, slide hand between skin and breast meat to loosen skin. Rub 4 tablespoons herb butter over breast meat under skin. Place turkey on rack set in large roasting pan. Sprinkle main cavity generously with salt and pepper. Place 4 tablespoons plain butter and all fresh herb sprigs in main cavity. Tuck wing tips under. Tie legs together loosely. Rub remaining herb butter over outside of turkey. Sprinkle turkey generously with salt and pepper.
• Place turkey in oven and roast 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Roast turkey 30 minutes; pour 1 cup broth over and add 1 tablespoon plain butter to roasting pan. Roast turkey 30 minutes; baste with pan juices, then pour 1 cup broth over and add 1 tablespoon butter to pan. Cover turkey loosely with foil. Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, basting with pan juices and adding 1 cup broth and 1 tablespoon butter to pan every 45 minutes, about 1 hour 45 minutes longer. Transfer turkey to platter; let stand 30 minutes (internal temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees).
• Strain pan juices into bowl; whisk in gravy base. Melt reserved 2 tablespoons herb butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat; add flour and whisk constantly until roux is golden brown, about 6 minutes. Gradually add pan juice-gravy base mixture; increase heat and whisk constantly until gravy thickens, boils, and is smooth. Reduce heat to medium; boil gently until gravy is reduced to 4 1/2 cups, whisking often, about 10 minutes. Season gravy with salt and pepper.