1/12/2009

















Cuban Pork with CeleryRoot Puree

Fred Murphy's painting portrays the southern version of surreptitious garden bounty left on the doorstep. In Florida we are awash in citrus this time of year. There are only so many oranges one can actually eat...Cuban Pork with Celery Root Puree is a great way to use up some of those sour oranges which are not fit to eat or juice without a little help. The sauce is delicate and spectacular with the Celery root puree:

Marinade a large Pork Loin in:

6 cups Orange Juice from sour oranges or
Orange juice soured with lime juice
4 to 5 Garlic cloves minced
Mexican Oregano dried a good sized fist full
1 Anaheim Pepper minced and de-seeded
Generous Salt & pepper
1 cup lightly flavored Olive oil (not extra virgin)

for several hours.
Bake at 350 in the marinade until well done
Meanwhile
Cube & boil in water
1 Celery root
6 peeled red potatoes
1 small head cauliflower

until pierces easily with a fork
Drain, return to hot pan, keep on burner, mashing while you cool out the water, then add 1/4 stick of butter and a cup of whole milk and turn off the heat while you mash the mixture, add salt & white pepper to taste. Keep in pan covered until ready to serve (you can keep it warm on a simmer plate)

Remove pork...it should be falling apart when you slice it

De-grease pan & reduce marinade
Add 1/4 cup cointreau & 1 cup heavy cream.

Reduce over high heat until spoon dragged across the bottom of the pan bares the pan.
Serve pork sliced nested on puree, top with sauce
Garnish with small wild bitter oranges.

1/09/2009


Fred Murphy's painting of Eggplants & Lemons inspired the following creation:






Eggplant & Fennel Saute with Preserved Lemons

1 Full-sized Eggplant
4 Bulbs Fennel
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Preserved Lemon*
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
1/2 Cup or more Dry Cured Black Olives

Peel & cube eggplant, salt & allow to drain for 1/2 hour. Cut fennel bulb into slices, discarding core and outer tough leaves. Mince garlic. Chop Preserved Lemons to 1 " squares, retaining juice & pulp. Put enough olive oil to coat pan. Saute Fennel until tender, add garlic, saute until golden. Add Eggplant & lemon, including juice & pulp. Add more olive oil if necessary. When Eggplant is soft, toss in olives, salt & pepper to taste & serve.

*Preserved Lemon is available through specialty groceries & cooking supply stores like Sur la Table or Williams Sonoma.

1/01/2009

New Year’s Eve Dinner

Amuse Broche

Jamón Ibérico Ham & Ibérico Cheese on Toasted Baguettes
Medjool Dates Marinated in Pastis

1998 Veuve Clicquet Pansardin, Champagne

First Course

Jamie Oliver Tarragon Salad with Red Grapes
Gruyere, Fennel & White Radish, Vinaigrette

Second Course

Smoked Trout Pate with Capers, Crème Fraîche, Sour Cream & Shallots
On Toasted Banquettes with Stone Ground Mustard & Cornichons

2007 Verdillac Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux

Third Course

Mango, Pineapple & Cream Sorbet
Blackberries & Mint

Fourth Course

Roasted Mustard-Herbed Sirloin Tip
With Pearl Onions & Shitake Mushrooms

2001 Château Faugères Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Desert

Pineapple Coconut Cake

2006 Losen-Bockstanz, Riesling Beerenauslese (Eiswein)