I apologize to all my vegetarian friends for this post.
I'd never had foie gras before, and while some may find it insane that my first taste would be at my own hands, the secret is out -- this may be the easiest gourmet food to make yourself, EVER. A restaurant in San Francisco is currently serving something extremely similar to this for $82/plate...way out of my price range, for sure. While foie gras isn't cheap, these two servings cost about $13...total. Of course, the figs came off the tree in our yard so they were free, but still...that's an amazing savings. At $45/pound, most people are scared away from trying to cook foie gras themselves; however, one appetizer serving (which, seriously, is all you need of this Richest Food on the Planet) is about 2-2.5 oz, so it's definitely affordable.
Foie gras, incidentally, does not come in a can. If you have foie gras in a can, it's a pate or some other mixture, and it will NOT sear! Even if your stepson brings you home a really great little tin of it from one of his trips to Paris and you can't read any of the french on the tin, trust me...it's not the kind of foie gras that sears (and no, I did not make this mistake because I can read french, but I know others who have done this). So don't make this rookie mistake...it will turn to mush...delicious, liquefied mush, but still, it's mush. Foie gras for searing comes from a very nice butcher, and will be wrapped in paper. It looks like slightly discolored, firm butter. If you know your butcher or you aren't worried that he or she will find you annoying, frustrating, and silly, try to ask for a center cut rather than an end cut.
When I made this, I prepared the mostarda at home, but saved the searing for our dining site...just a tiny portable stove and a tiny skillet is all it takes. Dress the greens and plate the dish right before serving. If you're so inclined, the classic pairing of foie gras and a good sauternes will knock your socks off.
I'd never had foie gras before, and while some may find it insane that my first taste would be at my own hands, the secret is out -- this may be the easiest gourmet food to make yourself, EVER. A restaurant in San Francisco is currently serving something extremely similar to this for $82/plate...way out of my price range, for sure. While foie gras isn't cheap, these two servings cost about $13...total. Of course, the figs came off the tree in our yard so they were free, but still...that's an amazing savings. At $45/pound, most people are scared away from trying to cook foie gras themselves; however, one appetizer serving (which, seriously, is all you need of this Richest Food on the Planet) is about 2-2.5 oz, so it's definitely affordable.
Foie gras, incidentally, does not come in a can. If you have foie gras in a can, it's a pate or some other mixture, and it will NOT sear! Even if your stepson brings you home a really great little tin of it from one of his trips to Paris and you can't read any of the french on the tin, trust me...it's not the kind of foie gras that sears (and no, I did not make this mistake because I can read french, but I know others who have done this). So don't make this rookie mistake...it will turn to mush...delicious, liquefied mush, but still, it's mush. Foie gras for searing comes from a very nice butcher, and will be wrapped in paper. It looks like slightly discolored, firm butter. If you know your butcher or you aren't worried that he or she will find you annoying, frustrating, and silly, try to ask for a center cut rather than an end cut.
When I made this, I prepared the mostarda at home, but saved the searing for our dining site...just a tiny portable stove and a tiny skillet is all it takes. Dress the greens and plate the dish right before serving. If you're so inclined, the classic pairing of foie gras and a good sauternes will knock your socks off.
Serves 2
Ingredients:
6 dried figs, quartered
1 cup madeira
3/4 cup sugar
2T whole grain mustard
1/4t powdered mustard
salt/pepper to taste
4oz fresh foie gras (or defrosted frozen -- foie gras freezes beautifully)
chopped chives
pepper/coarse salt
frisee or other bitter greens
olive oil (for dressing greens)
3 fresh figs (or reconstituted dried figs)
Instructions:
Recipe adapted from www.seriouseats.com.
Ingredients:
6 dried figs, quartered
1 cup madeira
3/4 cup sugar
2T whole grain mustard
1/4t powdered mustard
salt/pepper to taste
4oz fresh foie gras (or defrosted frozen -- foie gras freezes beautifully)
chopped chives
pepper/coarse salt
frisee or other bitter greens
olive oil (for dressing greens)
3 fresh figs (or reconstituted dried figs)
Instructions:
- Combine first 5 ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to a minimal simmer, and cook about an hour -- until mixture is reduced and a thick syrup. Set aside to cool, and season with salt and pepper.
- Divide foie gras into thick slabs (about 1/2" thick)...either 2 or 4 slabs, depending on the shape of your piece. Score in a cross-hatch pattern on one side.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a small skillet over high heat -- really high. Get that skillet nice and hot. Place foie gras in skillet, scored side down. If it doesn't sizzle loudly, scoop it out quickly and let your skillet get even hotter.
- Cook foie gras about 20 or 30 seconds, or until crisp on the scored side. Flip foie gras carefully, and cook another 20 to 30 seconds.
- Remove from skillet immediately and allow to rest while you prepare the plating.
- Place some of the mostarda on one side of each plate. On the other side, place the greens, lightly dressed in olive oil OR...if you let your foie gras cook too long, carefully pour the hot liquefied foie gras on the greens. Lightly season greens with salt and pepper.
- Place foie gras slabs atop greens, and dress with some additional mostarda.
- Arrange fresh or reconstituted figs around foie gras.
- Top with chives and fresh pepper, if desired.
Recipe adapted from www.seriouseats.com.
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