Salt Crust Dough Recipes

BEEF TENDERLOIN IN SALT CRUST

Steps:

• Place the flour, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites and water and add to the dry ingredients along with 2 tablespoons of the herbs. Combine with a potato masher until the mixture begins to come together. Then knead with your hands for 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large zip-top bag, seal, and let stand at room temperature for 4 hours, or up to 24 hours.
• Transfer dough to a floured surface and roll out to 3/16-inch thickness, approximately a 24 by 18-inch rectangle. Trim away extra dough, if necessary. Sprinkle the remaining herbs on the center section of the dough and gently press down.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In order to achieve uniform cooking, fold over slender tail end of tenderloin and tie with kitchen twine. Set a large electric griddle at its highest setting; brush the tenderloin with the olive oil and sear on all sides until well browned, approximately 10 minutes. Rest the meat for at least 5 minutes or until it is cool to the touch so as not to melt the dough.
• Place the tenderloin in the center of the dough. Fold top part of dough over, flipping back about 1-inch of dough onto itself. Repeat with the bottom half of the dough. Press together the 2 flaps of dough and seal. Make sure the dough is not too tight around the tenderloin. At the ends of the tenderloin, press together dough to form a seal and cut away any excess. Transfer to a sheet pan, place in the oven and roast to an internal temperature of 125 degrees F, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. The tenderloin will continue to cook 10 to 15 degrees more. Cut salt crust at 1 end and extract meat by pulling out of dough tube. Slice and serve immediately.

BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH HERB SALT CRUST

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine 2 cups salt with 3 tablespoons thyme and 3 tablespoons rosemary. Add egg whites and 2/3 cup water; mix until thoroughly combined. A little at a time, add up to 2 cups flour, beating on medium speed, until mixture forms a firm, homogenous dough, 2 to 3 minutes. The dough should be firm but not too moist or sticky. If necessary, knead in additional flour or water. Form dough into a square; wrap in plastic. Let rest at room temperature at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Rinse tenderloin, and pat dry. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. When skillet is hot, add beef. Sear well on all sides, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer tenderloin to a wire rack set over a baking pan to cool, 5 minutes.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to an approximately 10-by-15-inch rectangle (rectangle should be large enough to completely encase tenderloin). Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup thyme, 1/4 cup rosemary, the sage, bay leaves, parsley, and garlic over dough. Remove twine from tenderloin, and place it in the center of the dough. Roll dough around beef, completely encasing it. Press edges together to seal. Carefully transfer wrapped beef to a roasting pan. In a small bowl, mix egg yolks with 2 teaspoons water; brush entire surface of dough with egg wash. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons salt over the top.
• Place baking pan in center of oven. Roast until crust is light golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted into center registers 125 degrees to 130 degrees (for medium-rare), allowing 10 to 12 minutes per pound. Remove pan from oven; let rest at room temperature 1 hour.
• When ready to serve, slice off the crust at one end, and remove beef; discard crust. Season beef with pepper, slice, and serve.

CHICKEN IN SALT CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet large enough to hold the two chickens
• Stuff each chicken with 3 garlic cloves, 2 sprigs, rosemary, 2 sprigs thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon crushed peppercorns. Truss the chickens with kitchen twine. In a small bowl, combine the mustard, chopped thyme, chopped tarragon, and parsley. Using a pastry brush, brush the mustard mixture all over the chickens. Place the chickens, breast sides up, on the prepared baking sheet.
• Divide the dough in half. According to the directions in the Salt Crust Dough recipe, roll out each portion as thinly as possible. Wrap each chicken completely with dough.
• Bake until the dough is browned and rock-hard, about 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes. Using a hammer or the back of a heavy knife, crack open the crust and remove the chicken, brushing off any clinging crust with a clean kitchen towel. Cut each chicken in half lengthwise. Serve immediately on warmed plates

SALT DOUGH

Steps:

• Mix flour and salt together in a bowl. Slowly mix water, a few tablespoons at a time, into flour mixture until dough is smooth and easy to handle. Knead dough for 10 minutes and let rest for 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
• Form dough into desired shapes and arrange on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until dry and hard, about 2 hours. Allow to cool completely.

BEEF ROASTED IN SALT CRUST

Steps:

• In a bowl stir together the salt and 3/4 cup water until the mixture forms a slightly stiff paste resembling wet snow. Arrange the rib roast, fat side up, in a roasting pan and coat it completely with the salt mixture, patting the mixture on about 1/4 inch thick. Roast the beef in the middle of a preheated oven 325°F. oven for 2 hours (about 22 minutes per pound), or until it registers 130°F. on a meat thermometer for medium-rare meat. Transfer the beef to a cutting board and let it stand for 15 minutes. Remove the crust with a hammer and carve the meat.