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Makes 8 servings.
To prepare the ice cream: Prepare an ice water bath. Place the dates, vanilla bean pulp, heavy cream, half-and-half, and milk in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk the egg yolks in a large bowl and slowly pour in the hot cream mixture. Puree the cream mixture until smooth, return to the saucepan, and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, and cool in the ice water bath. Freeze in an ice cream machine and keep frozen until ready to use.
To prepare the dough: Using an electric mixer or by hand, combine the flour, butter, sugar, and salt in a large bowl until pebble-sized balls form. Add the egg yolk and water all at one time and mix until the dough just comes together. Remove the dough from the mixer, pat into a disc, and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
To prepare the caramel: Place the sugar in a medium saucepan and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Add the butter and vanilla pulp and cook for 2 minutes. Add the apple wedges and cook for 4 to 6 minutes or until the apples are half cooked. Remove the apples from the caramel and reserve both separately.
To prepare the tart: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thick and carefully press into an 8- or 9-inch tart ring, trimming any excess. Place the tart ring on a parchment-lined sheet pan and sprinkle 1/2 cup of the chopped pecans in the bottom of the shell. Pinwheel the apple slices in the tart and brush with some of the caramel sauce. Bake the tart for 20 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
To prepare the red wine-caramel sauce: Place the red wine in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes, or until reduced to 1/4 cup. Add the remaining caramel sauce to the red wine reduction and whisk until smooth. Fold in the remaining 1/4 cup of pecans and keep warm.
Cut the tart into 8 pieces and place a piece in the center of each plate. Spoon the red wine-caramel sauce around the tart and top the tart with a scoop of the date ice cream.
Makes 8 servings.
To prepare the vinaigrette: Place the shallots and sherry wine vinegar in a small bowl and slowly whisk in the canola and olive oils. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
To prepare the beets: Peel the beets and place in a small saucepan with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender. Drain the beets and cool slightly. Julienne the beets and place them in a medium bowl with the pickling juice for 2 hours. Drain, discarding the pickling juice. Toss with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and season to taste with salt and pepper.
To prepare the salad: In a large bowl, toss the endive, pear, goat cheese, and walnuts with the remaining vinaigrette and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Arrange the salad in the center of a large platter and top with the beets. Top with freshly ground black pepper.
Makes 8 servings.
To prepare the pavé: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, toss the potato slices with the cream until thoroughly coated. Generously butter a ceramic casserole dish. Arrange 4 layers of the potatoes in the bottom of the pan and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese on the potatoes and cover with 4 layers of potato. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle on the remaining Parmesan, and layer the remaining potatoes over the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, or until the potatoes are tender.
Makes 8 servings.
To prepare the vinaigrette: Whisk together the lemon juice, chopped tarragon, and olive and canola oils in a small bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.
To prepare the salad: Cut the apple into thin slices and place in a medium bowl with the fennel. Toss with the vinaigrette and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Makes 8 servings.
To prepare the glaze: Stir together the cracked peppercorns, thyme leaves, olive oil, and garlic in a small bowl and season with salt.
To prepare the goose: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Season the outside and inner cavity of the goose with salt and pepper. Brush the glaze all over the outside of the goose, reserving any extra to use while roasting. Place the onions, carrots, and celery in a roasting pan and place the goose on top of the vegetables. Roast for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, basting occasionally with the remaining peppercorn mixture and any drippings, until golden brown and crispy and the juice from the cavity runs clear. Remove the goose from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before carving.
To prepare the sauce: Strain the pan drippings through a fine-mesh sieve. Skim off the grease, leaving the meat juices, and place in a small saucepan. Whisk the butter into the meat juices, add the chopped thyme, and season with salt and pepper.
Carve the goose and serve with the pan sauce.