CROQUEMBOUCHE
Ingredients
Serves 8
1 x Basic Choux Pastry (make ahead, see BASIC CHOUX PASTRY RECIPE)
SALTED CARAMEL PASTRY CREAM:
¾ cup (175 ml) granulated sugar, divided
¼ cup (60 ml) water
2 cups (500 ml) whole milk
¼ cup (60 ml) cornstarch
6 large egg yolks
2 tbsp (30 ml) butter
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla
¼ tsp (1 ml) fleur de sel or sea salt
CARAMEL SAUCE/ SPUN SUGAR GARNISH:
⅔ cup (150 ml) water
2 cups (500 ml) granulated sugar
2 tbsp (30 ml) corn syrup
one 4 x 8-in (10 x 20 cm) Styrofoam cone
Instructions
- Prepare BASIC CHOUX PASTRY as per Master Recipe. Once puffs have cooled, make a small incision in bottom of each.
- Prepare the SALTED CARAMEL PASTRY CREAM: In a medium-sized, heavybottomed saucepan, combine ½ cup (125 ml) sugar and the water. Over mediumlow heat, cook until caramelized and deep amber in colour, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat milk in separate saucepan or in microwave until hot, but not boiling.
- Remove saucepan with sugar syrup from heat and whisk in milk in a slow, steady stream. Return saucepan to low heat and stir until smooth. Remove and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a medium-sized bowl, whisk together cornstarch and ¼ cup (60 ml) sugar. Whisk in egg yolks. Continue whisking while adding prepared hot caramel mixture in a thin, steady stream.
- Transfer mixture back to saucepan and heat, whisking constantly, over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it thickens and just comes to a boil. Immediately strain through a fine meshed sieve into a clean bowl and stir in butter, vanilla and salt. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing wrap directly onto surface, and refrigerate until needed.
- Fill a pastry bag fitted with a small round tip (Wilton 71) with Salted Caramel Pastry Cream. Insert tip into each puff and fill with cream. Set puff aside on a large cookie sheet as they are filled.
- Wrap Styrofoam cone with parchment paper and place pointedside up on sheet of parchment paper.
- To make a CARAMEL SAUCE: Combine ⅔ cup (150 ml) water, sugar and corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed medium-sized saucepan and boil over medium-high heat until amber in colour. Do not mix. Remove from heat and place saucepan in larger bowl of hot water to keep from hardening too fast. Dip side of each puff into caramel and stick puffs together in a pyramid around prepared cone.
- To make SPUN SUGAR GARNISH: Cut looped ends of a wire whisk with a wire cutter or use 2 forks held facing each other and dip ends into caramel sauce. Wave caramel back and forth over a parchment-lined box, allowing strands to fall in long, thin threads over sides. Take strands and wrap over Croquembouche.
Drink Pairings
CURRIED THAI MUSSELS SERVED WITH ROTI JALA
Ingredients
Serves 4
ROTI JALA:
1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour
½ tsp (2 ml) salt
¼ tsp (1 ml) turmeric
1 large egg
½ cup (125 ml) coconut milk
½ cup (125 ml) water
1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
THAI-STYLE MUSSELS:
1 tsp (5 ml) vegetable oil
1 small shallot, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tbsp (15 ml) green curry paste
1 kaffir lime leaf
1-in (2.5 cm) piece galangal root
2-in (5 cm) piece lemon grass, crushed
1 small Thai red chili, sliced in half (optional)
1 tbsp (15 ml) palm sugar
1 x 330 ml bottle Singha beer
1 tsp (5 ml) fish sauce
½ cup (125 ml) coconut milk
4 lbs (2 kg) mussels, scrubbed and debearded, discarding any that remain open when tapped
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
8 sprigs cilantro, washed and trimmed, for garnish
lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- To make ROTI JALA: In a bowl combine all ingredients except for oil and whisk until no lumps remain. Strain batter and transfer to a squeeze bottle.
- Lightly oil a 10-in (25 cm) non-stick frying pan with vegetable oil and heat over medium heat. Pour batter into hot pan, using a swirling motion to create a “net-like” pancake. Cook until batter is lightly brown on bottom and batter is set on top. Once batter is set, fold into quarters or roll up and transfer to a warm serving plate. Cover to keep warm while preparing mussels.
- To make MUSSELS: Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and sweat until translucent.
- Add curry paste and continue cooking until paste becomes fragrant. Add lime leaf, galangal root, lemon grass, chili (if using), palm sugar, beer, fish sauce and coconut milk. Stir to combine.
- Add mussels and cover with tightfitting lid. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes, or until all mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that remain closed.
- Taste broth and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, if desired. Serve in a large serving bowl and garnish with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges. Serve with Roti Jala.
Drink Pairings
CITRUS AND FENNEL CHICKEN BAKE
Ingredients
Serves 4
½ cup (125 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 Meyer lemon, zest and juice
1 orange, zest and juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) fennel seeds
4 tsp (20 ml) Dijon mustard
1 tbsp (15 ml) liquid honey
2 tsp (10 ml) fresh thyme leaves
2 medium fennel bulbs, trimmed and fronds reserved
8 skin-on, bone-in, chicken thighs
2 cups (500 ml) sugar snap peas
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together oil, lemon and orange zest and juice, salt, fennel seeds, mustard, honey and thyme leaves. Remove 2 tbsp (30 ml) marinade and set aside.
- Cut fennel bulbs into quarters and then cut each lengthwise, into 3 wedges. Place in large bowl with marinade. Add chicken and toss together until well mixed. Tip into a large baking dish, oven-safe frying pan or rimmed baking tray. Arrange chicken so that it sits on top of fennel and allow dish to marinate while oven preheats.
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Toss reserved marinade with snap peas and set aside.
- Roast fennel and chicken for 35 minutes before scattering snap peas over top, then continue to roast until chicken is cooked through, about another 15 to 20 minutes. Garnish with reserved fennel fronds and serve while warm.
Drink Pairings
DUCK BREAST WITH RHUBARB
Ingredients
Serves 4
RICH DUCK SAUCE:
1 whole duck carcass
4 tsp (20 ml) unsalted butter
2 tsp (10 ml) olive oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped button mushrooms
½ yellow onion, finely diced
½ celery stalk, finely diced
½ small carrot, peeled and finely diced
2 juniper berries
1 orange, zest only
2 tsp (10 ml) brandy
3 tbsp + 1 tsp (50 ml) port
4 cups (1 L) brown chicken stock
1 sprig fresh thyme
2 tbsp (30 ml) whipping cream
DUCK BREAST WITH VEGETABLES AND RHUBARB:
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
⅓ cup (90 ml) water
2 stalks rhubarb, cut into 2-in (5 cm) pieces
2 small red beets, peeled
3 carrots, peeled and cut in half, lengthwise
2 tsp (10 ml) unsalted butter
1 duck breast, boned, skin on
seasonal herbs, for garnish
Instructions
- To make RICH DUCK SAUCE: Chop duck carcass into small pieces. Place in a large, heavy saucepan with butter and fry over medium heat, stirring often, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add oil, mushrooms, onion, celery, carrot, juniper berries, orange zest, brandy and port and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered, until reduced by half.
- Add chicken stock and thyme sprig and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain sauce and return to saucepan. Continue to simmer, uncovered, until sauce is at desired thickness, or coats the back of a spoon. Stir in cream and remove from heat. Strain with a fine mesh and cover to keep warm.
- To make DUCK BREAST WITH VEGETABLES AND RHUBARB: Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in rhubarb. Set aside and steep for 10 minutes in a low oven set at 200 F (93 C). Then strain rhubarb and reduce the sugar water until syrup. Pour the syrup over rhubarb and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Place beets in a small roasting pan, cover and bake for 20-30 minutes. On a separate roasting sheet, rub carrots with butter and bake for 7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place duck breast fat-side down in a cold, dry, ovenproof frying pan. Sear duck skin over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until skin is golden brown. Drain off rendered fat and save for another use, if desired. Turn breast and sear other side for 30 seconds. Turn breast fat side down again and place pan in preheated oven. Roast for 6 to 8 minutes or until breast is medium rare. Remove from pan and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- To serve, thinly slice duck breast. Place a couple slices on a heated serving plate alongside a couple wedges of roasted beets, a couple pieces roasted carrot and a generous spoon of poached rhubarb. Drizzle with a generous ladle of Rich Duck Sauce and garnish with seasonal herbs.
Drink Pairings
CLASSIC BELGIAN MUSSELS
Ingredients
Serves 4
1 tbsp (15 ml) butter
2 small shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 sprigs thyme
4 lbs (2 kg) mussels, scrubbed and debearded, discarding any that remain open when tapped
1½ cups (375 ml) Saison Dupont beer
salt and freshly ground pepper
½ cup (125 ml) crème fraîche
3 sprigs flat-leaf parsley, stems removed and leaves chopped
1 baguette, sliced
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic and thyme and sweat until shallots are translucent.
- Add mussels, beer and a dash of salt and pepper. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 3 minutes.
- Remove lid and add crème fraîche. Cover with lid and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until all mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that remain closed.
- Stir in parsley and taste broth before adding additional salt and pepper as mussels naturally release a salty broth.
- Serve in a large serving bowl with sliced baguette on side, for dipping.
Drink Pairings
CHOCOLATE, MANDARIN AND COCONUT ROULADE
Ingredients
Serves 10
3 oz (90 g) dark chocolate
6 tbsp (90 ml) unsalted butter
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup (250 ml) all purpose flour, divided
½ tsp (1 ml) baking soda
⅔ cups (150 ml) water
1 cup (250 ml) icing sugar, divided
1 cup (250 ml) mascarpone cheese
1 ⅔ cups (400 ml) whipping cream
3 tbsp + 1 tsp (50 ml) Malibu Coconut Rum, optional
2½ cups (625 ml) coconut ribbons, toasted, for garnish
edible gold glitter, optional, for garnish
MANDARIN CURD:
½ cup (125 ml) freshly squeezed mandarin juice
⅓ cup (75 ml) granulated sugar
4 large egg yolks
finely grated zest of two mandarins
¼ cup (60 ml) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180C). Grease a 15 x 10-in (38 x 25 cm) rimmed baking sheet with vegetable oil or butter. Line with parchment, then grease parchment too.
- Place chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and place it over a pan of gently simmering water. Do not let bottom of the bowl touch the water. Stir together chocolate and butter until melted and well combined. Remove from heat and stir in sugar and vanilla extract.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs with a hand beater on high speed until thickened and pale, about 3 minutes. Add chocolate mixture and continue to beat until well incorporated. Beat in ¼ cup (60 ml) flour and baking soda until just blended. Add remaining ¾ cups (175 ml) flour in three additions, alternating with water in two additions. Beat well after each addition. Spread into prepared pan and bake until cake springs back when touched, about 15 minutes. Immediately sprinkle entire surface of cake with ¼ cup (60 ml) icing sugar and invert cake onto a clean kitchen towel. Remove pan and discard baking paper. Starting at one short side, roll up cake and towel together, then allow to cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
- Whip together mascarpone, cream, Malibu (if using) and remaining ¾ cups (175 ml) icing sugar until just holding stiff peaks.
- Carefully unroll cake. Don’t worry if it cracks slightly in places. Spread half cream mixture over surface, leaving a border of about 1-in (2.5 cm) all around edge. Using a small spoon, carve troughs in filling every couple of inches and fill each with mandarin curd. Re-roll cake around filling, using towel if needed, and place, seam-side down, on a serving platter. Spread remaining cream over outside before pressing coconut flakes all over top and sides. Garnish with a dusting of gold glitter (if using). Chill for at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours before serving.
- To make MANDARIN CURD: In a small saucepan, bring juice to a rapid simmer over medium-high heat. Allow to reduce to ¼ cup (60 ml) of liquid. This should take 4 minutes. Transfer juice to a measuring cup to cool to room temperature.
- In same small saucepan whisk together sugar, egg yolks, mandarin zest and reduced juice. Set over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until sugar has dissolved and mixture coats back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in butter until melted and well incorporated. 3 Strain mandarin curd into bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing wrap into surface of curd to prevent skin from forming. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Drink Pairings
CORNBREAD LOAVES WITH HONEY BUTTER
Ingredients
Serves 12 mini loaves or 24 muffins and ⅔ cup (150 ml) Honey Butter
CORNBREAD:
1½ cups (375 ml) buttermilk
¾ cup (175 ml) unsalted butter, melted
3 eggs
1¼ cups (310 ml) granulated sugaR
1¾ cups (425 ml) medium-ground yellow cornmeal
¾ tsp (4 ml) baking soda
¾ tsp (4 ml) kosher salt
1½ cups (375 ml) all-purpose flour
12 fresh thyme sprigs
HONEY BUTTER:
½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, softened
3 tbsp (15 ml) liquid honey
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Lightly grease twelve 4 x 2-in (10 x 5 cm) mini loaf pans. Alternatively use a couple of muffin pans with paper liners. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, butter and eggs. Whisk to blend.
- In a separate large bowl, sift dry ingredients, except thyme sprigs, until evenly blended. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Some remaining lumps are fine.
- Divide batter evenly among prepared loaf pans and top each with a sprig of thyme. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool in pans on a rack.
- To make HONEY BUTTER: Mix butter, honey and salt in a small bowl until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be refrigerated for a couple of days. Serve on warm cornbread. Can be refrigerated up to one week.
Drink Pairings
CLASSIC SPRING ABUNDANCE
Ingredients
Serves 4
SALAD:
1 corn on the cob, husked
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil, divided
6 cups (1.5 L) mixed baby greens, such as spinach, romaine and bok choy
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup (250 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup (125 ml) shredded red cabbage
2 small, unpeeled cucumbers, shaved lengthwise
1 large carrot, peeled and julienned or grated
1 avocado, pitted and sliced
2 whole green onions, diagonally sliced
⅓ cup (75 ml) crumbled goat’s cheese
Spicy Yogurt Lime Sauce
SPICY YOGURT LIME SAUCE:
½ cup (125 ml) full-fat plain Greek yogurt
¼ cup (60 ml) lightly packed cilantro leaves
1 garlic clove, smashed and minced
1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) tamari soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) hot sauce such as Sriracha
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cumin
dash maple syrup
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- To make SALAD: Lightly brush corn on the cob with olive oil. Sear in a grill pan or on a preheated barbecue until tender and charred. Remove and set aside until cooled.
- In a large bowl, toss greens with 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Divide greens among 4 serving dishes. Cut corn from husk into chunks and arrange on greens along with remaining vegetables. Sprinkle with goat’s cheese and drizzle with Spicy Yogurt Lime Sauce. Serve immediately.
- To make SPICY YOGURT LIME SAUCE: Combine sauce ingredients in a food processor. Whirl until smooth and creamy. Add more hot sauce, salt and pepper, if desired. Transfer to a squeeze tube. Use immediately or refrigerate for a couple of days. Shake before using.
Drink Pairings
FIG AND PROSCIUTTO ROLL-UPS
Ingredients
Serves 24 to 36 rolls
12 slices prosciutto, not too thin
4 oz (125 g) goat’s cheese, at room temperature
1 cup (250 ml) lightly packed baby spinach leaves
6 large fresh figs, such as kadota figs, or 12 large dried figs, thinly sliced
¼ cup (50 ml) shredded Parmesan
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard
1 tsp ( 5 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp (30 ml) minced Italian parsley
Instructions
- Lay a strip of plastic wrap on work surface. Place two slices prosciutto side by side.
- Stir goat’s cheese in a bowl until creamy. Lightly spread goat’s cheese evenly over slices making sure to spread cheese to the edges for sealing. Arrange spinach leaves over cheese, then sliced figs, dividing and spacing evenly. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Sprinkle with pepper.
- Gather up plastic wrap and gently but firmly roll up prosciutto, jelly roll fashion. Tuck rolls seam-side down and place in a square pan. Overwrap with plastic and refrigerate.
- To serve, cut rolls crosswise in half or into 3 even-sized rolls. Transfer to serving platter.
- Combine olive oil, Dijon and lemon juice in a squeeze bottle with a small spout. Shake well to blend. Dot over top of prosciutto rolls. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Drink Pairings
CHICKEN AND RICOTTA DUMPLING SOUP
Ingredients
Serves 6
SOUP
3 medium carrots, divided
3 celery stalks, divided
3 lb (1.5 kg) whole chicken, rinsed and patted dry
1 large cooking onion, unpeeled, quartered
2 bay leaves
5 sprigs fresh thyme
3 sprigs fresh parsley
1 head garlic, halved crosswise
10 black peppercorns
12 cups (3 L) water
1 leek, trimmed, white and light green part thinly sliced
PESTO
5 oz (140 g) kale, stems removed, blanched and squeezed dry
1 cup (250 ml) fresh basil leaves
⅓ cup (75 ml) pine nuts
½ cup (125 ml) finely grated Parmesan
½ cup (125 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
DUMPLINGS
1½ cups (375 ml) ricotta cheese
⅔ cup (150 ml) finely grated Parmesan, plus extra for garnish
⅔ cup (150 ml) all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- For Soup, peel and chop carrots and celery. Place whole chicken in a large, heavybottomed saucepan along with half the chopped carrots and celery. Add onion, bay leaves, thyme, parsley, garlic, peppercorns and water. Place pan over high heat and bring just to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer stock, with lid ajar, for 1½ hours.
- To make Pesto, place blanched kale, basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, oil, salt and pepper in a food processor. Pulse until still slightly chunky, scraping down sides of processor as needed. Transfer to a container, cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto pesto and set aside.
- To make Dumplings, in a medium bowl, stir together ricotta, Parmesan, flour, eggs, 1½ tbsp (22 ml) Pesto and a pinch of salt and pepper until a sticky dough forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Strain soup mixture, reserving stock and chicken. Return stock to a large, clean saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Chop chicken, discarding skin and bones. Set meat aside in a separate bowl. Add remaining chopped carrot, celery and leek to boiling stock. Reduce heat to medium. Drop tablespoons of dumpling mixture into soup and cook until vegetables are tender and dumplings float, about 8 minutes.
- To serve, divide reserved chicken among warmed bowls. Ladle over soup and top with a dollop of pesto and garnish with extra Parmesan, if desired. Serve immediately.