5 Spice Root Vegetable Ragout Recipes

FIVE-SPICE TROUT WITH CARROT SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil and the lemon zest and juice in a large bowl; season with salt and black pepper. Peel the carrots into long ribbons using a vegetable peeler; add to the bowl along with the red onion and half of the chives. Toss well to coat and set aside.
• Combine the five-spice powder, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper in a small bowl; rub on the flesh side of the fish fillets. Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 fillets, skin-side down, and cook until crisp, about 2 minutes. Gently flip and cook until cooked through, about 2 more minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet, skin-side down. Repeat with the remaining olive oil and fish.
• Add the beets to the bowl with the carrots and toss. Divide the fish among plates; top with the creamy horseradish and the remaining chives. Serve with the carrot salad and lemon wedges.

ROASTED PORK LOIN WITH ALMOND PESTO 5 SPICE ROOT VEGETABLE POT PIE

Steps:

• In a food processor, place almonds, chilies, lime juice, garlic and ginger and mix well. Add the basil and mint leaves. Slowly drizzle in the oil to achieve a thick puree. Check for seasoning. Season the pork and spread the pesto on each pork escalope. Save a little pesto for garnishing. Roll the pork escalopes and tie each one with string. In a hot saute pan coated with oil, sear the pork roulades on all sides. Place pork in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. An internal temperature of 155 to 160 degrees is ideal. I love my pork pink. Let loin rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
• Add a little oil to thin out the remaining pesto.
• For the 5 Spice Root Vegetable Ragout: In a 2 quart saucepan on medium heat, add the butter, onions and 5 spice powder. Saute for 3 minutes then add carrots, celery, celery root and parsnips. Saute for 10 minutes then add chicken stock. Reduce stock by 30 percent until the vegetables are soft but not mushy. Stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken. Check for seasoning.
• For the Pastry Cups: In a food processor with the blade, add flour, butter, salt and 5-spice. Pulse until butter ends up in very small, tiny pieces. Add the egg mixture and pulse until a ball is formed. If ball is too dry, add a little water or, if too wet, add a little flour. In either case, pulse to incorporate. Wrap ball in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick and dock dough (make small holes). Cut out circles or squares and place on an upside down muffin pan. Place a sheet of parchment on top then weigh down with a sheet tray. Bake at 425 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
• PLATING: Zigzag pesto oil on white plate. Place one pastry cup in the center of a plate and generously over fill with vegetable ragout. Slice thick slices of pork and surround cup. Garnish with toasted almonds and sliced scallions.
• Wine Suggestion: Robert Sinskey Pinot Noir 1996

SALT BAKED CHICKENS WITH SPRING VEGETABLE AND MUSHROOM RAGOUT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 550 degrees. Mix together the salt and pepper. Rub chicken with oil inside and out, then liberally coat with salt mix. Place chicken, breast-side up, in the oven and cook for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown. The chicken may have to be rotated for even coloring. When chicken is fully browned turn the oven down to 300 degrees. Cover with foil to prevent burning. Chicken will take another 35 to 45 minutes. Chicken is done when one can move the wing back and forth with great ease. Another test is piercing between the thigh and breast and the juices should run clear. Allow chicken to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
• For the Spring Vegetable and Mushroom Ragout: In a large, hot saucepan, add 2 tablespoons butter and saute shallots and garlic until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and saute. Season. Deglaze with white wine and reduce by 50 percent. Add chicken stock, soy, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, add peas, edamames, favas, carrots, and snap peas. Add the truffle oil and season. Check for seasoning. Bring back to temperature. Right before serving, add the chives.
• Using a large platter, serve a large mound of the ragout. Top with 2 chickens and serve family style.
• Wine Suggestion: York Creek, Pinot Blanc, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, 1996 Bedford Thompson, Cabernet Franc, Santa Barbara County, 1994
• In a medium bowl, mix the shredded chicken, ragout and basil oil. Check for seasoning. Fill the crock pots and place the puff pastry on top tightly. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until crust is dark brown. Serve as soon as possible.
• For the Basil Oil: In a blender, puree garlic, ginger, lime juice, salt and sugar and oil until smooth. Do not overmix thereby heating the mixture. Add the basil and puree smooth. Check for seasoning.
• Wine Suggestion: York Creek, Pinot Blanc, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, 1996 Bedford Thompson, Cabernet Franc, Santa Barbara County, 1994
• In a blender, add the Dijon and vinegars and blend. Drizzle in the oils to emulsify. In a large salad bowl, toss the chicken, pasta, tomatoes and basil. Season with salt and black pepper. Check for flavor.
• In a large pasta bowl, plate the entire salad and garnish with basil tops.
• Yield: 4 servings
• Wine Suggestion: York Creek, Pinot Blanc, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, 1996 Bedford Thompson, Cabernet Franc, Santa Barbara County, 1994

TRUFFLED MUSHROOM AND SPINACH RAGOUT

Steps:

• In a medium-hot saucepan, add 1 tablespoon butter and saute garlic and shallots. Add mushrooms and saute. Season. Deglaze with red wine and reduce by 80 percent. Add veal or chicken stock, soy and thyme. Simmer mushrooms for 15 to 20 minutes. Add the other tablespoon of butter and check for seasoning. Right before serving add the spinach to wilt and the truffle oil. Check for seasoning.
• PLATING Slice the beef into 6 slices. Spoon a mound of ragout on a plate and top with slices. Garnish with chives and truffle oil.
• Wine Suggestion: 1. Ravenswood, Big River Zinfandel, Alexander Valley, 1997 2. Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Champagne

BASIC VEGETABLE RAGOUT

Steps:

• In a large hot saucepan heat oil. Add onion, 1/3 of garlic, red pepper flakes, thyme and saute until onions and garlic are fragrant. Stir in zucchini, 1/3 garlic and tarragon, partially cover pan and cook for approximately 3 minutes or until zucchini has begun to soften. Stir in plum tomatoes with juice, 1/3 garlic and basil, partially cover pan and cook for 7 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender. Serve over rice. Top with Parmesan.

SPICED ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the onions and fry for 5 mins until softened. Tip in the remaining veg and cook for another 5 mins, adding the chilli and cumin for final 2 mins.
• Add the lentils and stock to the pan. Bring to the boil, then lower heat and simmer for 25 mins until veg are tender and lentils are soft. Blitz until smooth with the milk and a little extra water or stock, if necessary. Season, then reheat until piping hot.
• Ladle into bowls and serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of chopped coriander.

ROASTED VEGETABLE RAGOUT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees.
• In a heavy roasting pan, combine the vegetablesand olive oil and toss to coat. Roast 20 to 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes, until the vegetables are nicely browned.
• Meanwhile, tie the herbs together with kitchen string. Transfer the pan to the top of the stove. Add the wine, stock, tomatoes, and herbs and cook over high heat for 15 minutes. Stir in the Swiss chard and cook 2 minutes more.
• Season with salt and pepper. To serve, spoon the vegetables and sauce over the polenta.

ROOT VEGETABLE RAGOûT

Steps:

• Have ready a bowl of ice and cold water. Cook onions in boiling water 3 minutes and drain in a colander. Transfer onions to ice water to stop cooking. When onions are cool enough to handle, peel and reserve. Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Peel remaining vegetables and cut enough into 1/2-inch cubes to measure 3/4 cup each. In a shallow roasting pan toss vegetables (except onions) with oil and roast in middle of oven until tender and golden, about 20 minutes.
• In a large skillet heat butter over moderate heat until foam subsides and cook onions, stirring, until tender and pale golden. Add roasted vegetables, stock, and salt and pepper to taste and simmer until stock is slightly thickened and coats vegetables, about 2 minutes.
• Serve ragout garnished with parsley and zest.