Cauliflower Arancini
Dinner in the Dark here in Cleveland is quite literally an "Open Mic Night for Chefs" as described by my friends Brian Okin and Jeff Jarrett. They have been making a monthly difference in charities around this great city and including some of the best talent that this region has! The alumni list is a Who's Who in the culinary world! Sometimes, with a little luck and timing and because of your previous experiences, you get the opportunity to do another one. Monday, was my 3rd time being lucky enough to celebrate what they do as well as have Food Fanatics represented!
Their concept is simple, as a ticket holder, you know the location.... When you arrive and are seated, your 6-8 course flight is paired with a cocktail or wine or, in this case, beer. Your menu has the following:
a simple image of what protein or vegetable or starch you may be eating
the name and company of the participating chef
the cocktail or wine or other beverage that is matched with said picture
These guys rock it and every month, the bar is raised!
Here is my dish from this amazing lineup!
Cheers,
Quinney
Cauliflower Arancini with Smoked Gouda and duck confit / smoked pea puree / charred tomato sauce / candied duck skin
1 lb riced cauliflower
2 T. olive oil
1 t. Cajun seasoning
1 T. butter
1/4 c. diced red onion
1/2 c. arborio rice
1 qt. chicken stock
salt and pepper (to taste)
1 c. shredded smoked gouda
1 c. heavy cream
4 ea. duck legs - confit and shredded - duck skin removed
egg wash
panko bread crumbs
1 c. sweet peas
hickory chips
1 bunch green onions
2 T. white balsamic vinegar
3 large tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1/4 c. maple syrup
Method:
for Arancini:
1.preheat oven to 350 degrees
2.toss cauliflower with Cajun seasoning and olive oil.
3.roast in oven 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
4.in large saute pan, heat butter and red onions on high heat until translucent.
5.add rice and toast about 30 seconds. reduce heat to low.
6.add chicken stock and stir occasionally until rice is al dente ( about 20 minutes)
7.add gouda and cream to finish risotto.
8.add to cauliflower and chill down in freezer for 1 hour.
9.form balls stuffing with duck confit and refreeze to set up for 1/2 hour.
10.roll balls in egg wash and panko
11.fry until golden brown.
12.finish in oven for 3-5 minutes.
for Smoked Pea puree:
1.soak hickory chips for 1 hour.
2.remove water and place in foil pan or foil on top of burner of grill. Turn grill onto medium heat.
3.place peas, green onions and white balsamic in pan.
4.smoke on grill with lid closed for 35-40 minutes or until desired smoky flavor is achieved.
5.puree
for Charred Tomato sauce:
1.turn grill up to high and burn tomatoes on grill.
2.add to tomato sauce and puree
for Candied Duck Skin:
1.lay duck skin on parchment paper
2.cover with maple syrup.
3.toast in 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until syrup becomes crunchy.
4.chill in freezer and rough chop.
Plate smoked pea puree, top with risotto ball, charred tomato sauce and top with candied duck skin.
Their concept is simple, as a ticket holder, you know the location.... When you arrive and are seated, your 6-8 course flight is paired with a cocktail or wine or, in this case, beer. Your menu has the following:
a simple image of what protein or vegetable or starch you may be eating
the name and company of the participating chef
the cocktail or wine or other beverage that is matched with said picture
These guys rock it and every month, the bar is raised!
Here is my dish from this amazing lineup!
Cheers,
Quinney
Cauliflower Arancini with Smoked Gouda and duck confit / smoked pea puree / charred tomato sauce / candied duck skin
1 lb riced cauliflower
2 T. olive oil
1 t. Cajun seasoning
1 T. butter
1/4 c. diced red onion
1/2 c. arborio rice
1 qt. chicken stock
salt and pepper (to taste)
1 c. shredded smoked gouda
1 c. heavy cream
4 ea. duck legs - confit and shredded - duck skin removed
egg wash
panko bread crumbs
1 c. sweet peas
hickory chips
1 bunch green onions
2 T. white balsamic vinegar
3 large tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1/4 c. maple syrup
Method:
for Arancini:
1.preheat oven to 350 degrees
2.toss cauliflower with Cajun seasoning and olive oil.
3.roast in oven 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
4.in large saute pan, heat butter and red onions on high heat until translucent.
5.add rice and toast about 30 seconds. reduce heat to low.
6.add chicken stock and stir occasionally until rice is al dente ( about 20 minutes)
7.add gouda and cream to finish risotto.
8.add to cauliflower and chill down in freezer for 1 hour.
9.form balls stuffing with duck confit and refreeze to set up for 1/2 hour.
10.roll balls in egg wash and panko
11.fry until golden brown.
12.finish in oven for 3-5 minutes.
for Smoked Pea puree:
1.soak hickory chips for 1 hour.
2.remove water and place in foil pan or foil on top of burner of grill. Turn grill onto medium heat.
3.place peas, green onions and white balsamic in pan.
4.smoke on grill with lid closed for 35-40 minutes or until desired smoky flavor is achieved.
5.puree
for Charred Tomato sauce:
1.turn grill up to high and burn tomatoes on grill.
2.add to tomato sauce and puree
for Candied Duck Skin:
1.lay duck skin on parchment paper
2.cover with maple syrup.
3.toast in 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until syrup becomes crunchy.
4.chill in freezer and rough chop.
Plate smoked pea puree, top with risotto ball, charred tomato sauce and top with candied duck skin.
