August Exotica

All I recall about this dinner was that I was trying to use some unusual ingredients that I’d not worked with before and see what I could come up with.

❶ Simmer Australian Bush Tomatoes, Lemon Verbena, Lemon Thyme and Lemongrass in Stock. Clarify. Add gelatin. Chill. Poach Ecuadorian Jumbo Shrimp in herb stock. Ladle consommé into bowls and garnish with shrimp and thin slices of Serrano and Cayenne Peppers. Serve with Non-Vintage Domaine Chandon Brut Reserve.

❷ Rub whole Pom-Pom mushrooms with butter and roast in a baking pan until soft. Sauté Shallots in rice wine vinegar till almost evaporated. Whisk in cold butter till thick. Add chopped Shiso leaves. Season with salt and white pepper. Ladle over mushrooms and garnish with herbs. Serve with 1994 Pinot Gris from The Eyrie Vineyards.

❸ Rinse Dulce of all brine. Cut in chiffonade. Sauté briefly till limp and warm. Quarter Sunchokes and slice Lily Bulbs. Pan roast till soft and slightly browned. Make pesto from Vietnamese Cilantro, Garlic, Parmesan, Pinenuts and Olive Oil. Season. Arrange Dulce into nests, fill with vegetables and top with Pesto. Accompany with 1993 Coturri Alicante Boushet.

❹ Puree and strain Fresh Huckleberries. Steep with a Cinnamon Stick. Sauté Honshimeji mushrooms in butter with a touch of Nutmeg. Dust Ostrich Steaks with Mace. Sear quickly on each side. Serve in pool of sauce. Top with mushrooms and whole berries. Serve with 1992 Robert Sinskey Reserve Merlot.

❺ Slice thin wedges of Spanish Cheeses: Mahon (cow’s milk), Idiazabal (sheep’s milk), and Ricanante (goat’s milk). Arrange on plate. Scoop rounds of Cabrales (blue from cow, sheep and goat’s milks) and place in center of plate. Match with a 1985 Conde de Valdemar Rioja Gran Reserva.

❻ Steep chopped, dried Apricots in brandy. Cream Butter and Sugar. Add Egg Yolks and beat well. Add Milk and sifted Cake Flour. Fold Apricots and Pinenuts into mixture. Beat Egg Whites till stiff and fold in. Bake, topped with additional Pinenuts. Puree Shiro Plums with Maple Syrup. Warm. Serve over wedges of cake. Accompany with 1991 Kracher Scheurebe Beerenauslese.