Jimmy Schmidts Ginger Puree Recipes

ROASTED BEETS WITH CRISPY SUNCHOKES AND PICKLED ORANGE-GINGER PURéE

Steps:

• Pickled Orange-Ginger Purée:
• Place the zest strips in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil, then drain. Repeat this process two more times (blanching the orange zest removes any bitter flavors). Place the ginger and orange zest in a jar or heatproof container. In a saucepan, bring the lime juice, vinegar, sugar, and ¾ teaspoon salt to a boil. Pour over the ginger and orange. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate overnight. The pickled ginger can be refrigerated for a couple of months.
• Drain the pickled ginger and orange and save 3 tablespoons of the pickling liquid. Add both to a blender or mini food processor, along with the olive oil, chile, and remaining 2 tablespoons salt. Blend until very smooth, scraping down the side of the blender as needed. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to use. The puree can be made a couple of days ahead. (Makes about 1 cup.)
• Roasted beets:
• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the beets in a baking dish (if using a mix of red and golden beets, separate them into two smaller dishes and divide the oil, vinegar, and water between the two dishes). Drizzle with the oil and add the water and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the pan with foil and roast until the beets are tender when pierced with a knife; this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the thickness of the beets. Let the beets cool, then peel and cut into 1-inch wedges. Place each color of beet, along with any accumulated juices, into a small mixing bowl.
• Toasted cashews:
• In a skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the cashews and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown. Transfer to a heat-proof bowl.
• Sunchoke chips:
• Pour 1 inch of oil into a small saucepan and add the sunchokes (there should be just enough oil to cover the sunchokes; add more oil if needed). Turn the heat to medium and stir occasionally; when the sunchokes begin to sizzle and foam, increase the temperature to high and continue frying, stirring constantly, until the sunchokes are light golden brown. At this point the sunchokes will rapidly go from golden brown to burnt, so quickly transfer the chips to paper towels to drain. Lightly season with salt. The sunchoke chips can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two, or until they start to soften. (Makes about ½ cup.)
• For serving:
• Using a sharp knife, cut the peel and pith off the orange. Working over a bowl, cut the orange between the membranes to release the segments. Dice the segments, then return them to the bowl.
• Drizzle the beet wedges with a little bit of olive oil, season with salt, and toss.
• Spread the ginger puree on the bottom of a shallow serving bowl or plate. Arrange the beets over the puree. Sprinkle the chopped orange segments over the beets and grind some pepper over the dish. Top with the cashews, herbs, and sunchoke chips. Serve.

JIMMY SCHMIDT'S GINGER PUREE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to simmer over high heat and cook until tender, about 30 minutes.
• Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth. Strain the contents and reserve in the refrigerator for up to one month.

JIMMY SCHMIDT'S SWORDFISH WITH GINGER AND GRAPEFRUIT

Steps:

• Preheat the grill or broiler. In a medium-size saucepan over high heat, combine the stock, wine, grapefruit juice and shallots, and cook until reduced to 1 cup, about nine minutes. Mix in the ginger puree. Strain through a fine sieve.
• In a small saucepan, combine the ginger, sugar and the water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cooking until the ginger is tender, about 15 minutes. Drain.
• In a large saucepan over high heat, bring the grapefruit reduction to a boil. Whisk in the butter, one tablespoon at a time, cooking until the sauce is thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about four minutes. Add the bitters and adjust the salt and pepper. Add the grapefruit rind, cooked ginger and the grapefruit sections. Remove from the heat.
• Rub the surfaces of the swordfish with the olive oil. Place on the grill and cook until seared, about three minutes. Turn over to finish, about two minutes, depending on the thickness of the swordfish.
• Position the swordfish on a warm serving plate. Warm the sauce for one minute and spoon it over the fish, placing three grapefruit sections on each piece. Sprinkle with the scallions and serve.

SWEET POTATO PURéE WITH GINGER AND CIDER

Steps:

• Place potatoes in large pot; add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until potatoes are very tender, about 40 minutes. Drain; cool. Peel; cut into large chunks. Transfer to processor.
• Bring cider to boil in heavy medium saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until cider is reduced to 1 cup, about 30 minutes. Transfer cider, ginger, and butter to processor with potatoes; process until very smooth. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Transfer puree to heavy medium saucepan. Cover; chill. Stir over medium heat to rewarm before serving.)

PURéED WINTER SQUASH SOUP WITH GINGER

Steps:

• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and add the onion and carrot. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the winter squash, garlic and minced ginger and cook, stirring, until the mixture smells fragrant, about 1 minute
• Add the water or stock, the rice and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the squash is very tender
• Using a hand blender, or in batches in a regular blender, purée the soup. If using a regular blender, cover the top with a towel pulled down tight, rather than airtight with the lid. Return to the pot and heat through. Stir in the ginger juice, taste and season with salt and pepper. If desired, thin out with a little more water or stock
• Ladle the soup into bowls and add a tablespoon of yogurt (more to taste), then slowly swirl the yogurt into the soup with a spoon. Squeeze a few drops of lime juice onto each serving and sprinkle with whisper of nutmeg

GINGERED SWEET POTATO PURéE

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch pieces. In a small saucepan boil potatoes in salted water to cover 15 minutes, or until very tender, and drain well in a colander.
• In a food processor purée hot potatoes with milk, butter, and gingerroot until smooth and season with salt and pepper.