Smoked Tomato Beurre Blanc Recipes

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH TOMATO BEURRE BLANC

Steps:

• Make beurre blanc:
• Soak tomatoes in warm water until softened, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain and pat dry, then mince. Stir together tomatoes, butter, and salt, then form into an 8-inch log on a sheet of plastic wrap and chill, wrapped in plastic wrap, until firm, about 1 hour. Cut tomato butter into 12 equal pieces.
• Cook shallot in 1 piece of tomato butter (keep remaining butter chilled) in a small heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add wine and boil until liquid is reduced to about 1/3 cup, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and whisk in remaining cold tomato butter 1 piece at a time, adding each piece before previous one has completely melted and lifting pan from heat occasionally to cool mixture (sauce should not get hot enough to separate). Whisk in water and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer beurre blanc to a bowl and keep warm, covered, in a larger bowl of warm water.
• Sauté scallops:
• Pat scallops dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sear 6 to 8 scallops, turning once, until golden brown and just cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes total. Transfer to a platter as cooked and keep warm, loosely covered with foil. Sear remaining scallops in same manner, wiping out skillet and adding about 1 teaspoon oil between batches.
• Spoon 3 tablespoons beurre blanc onto each of 6 plates, then top with scallops.

CHEF JOHN'S BEURRE BLANC

Steps:

• Place wine, lemon juice, cream, shallots, and cream in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium, and let simmer until liquid is reduced by about 75%, 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to the lowest setting and whisk in about 2 cubes of butter. Keep butter moving until it melts. When melted, add a few more cubes, whisking continuously so butter emulsifies into the wine/lemon juice mixture.
• Continue to add butter, a few cubes at a time until all of it has been incorporated and the sauce has a thick, luxurious texture, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Taste for seasonings and add a pinch of salt and cayenne, if desired. Serve immediately.

HOMEMADE FROMAGE BLANC

Steps:

• In a large, heavy saucepan, add the milk and the cream for a richer fromage blanc. In a mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk and lemon juice and stir to combine well. Add the buttermilk-lemon juice mixture to the milk and begin to heat the milk, over low heat and very slowly, to 175 degrees F. While the milk is heating, stir only twice, making 2 strokes each time, with a heat-proof spatula or other flat utensil. Check the temperature often. As soon as the temperature reaches 175 degrees F, remove the pot from the heat and allow to sit, undisturbed, for 10 minutes.
• Line a large colander with 2 layers of fine cheesecloth and set over a large bowl. Gently ladle the curds and whey into the colander and allow to drain until the drips of whey slows, about 2 minutes. Tie the corners of the cheesecloth together to form a hanging pouch, and hang pouch over a bowl and allow to drain until the cheese reaches the desired consistency.
• Serve as is, with preserves, honey or fresh fruit, or add salt or fresh herbs, to taste, and enjoy as a savory appetizer. If a rich cheese is desired, spoon or pour a bit of heavy cream over the top before serving. Also, if a very smooth product is desired, beat the cheese briefly with an electric mixer before serving.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 1 week. If cheese is marinated in oil with fresh herbs, it will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 month.

TOMATO BEURRE BLANC

Steps:

• 1. Make the reduction by dicing the shallots and garlic. 2. Place them into a pan with the stock, tomato flesh, vinegar and herb stalks. 3. Allow to simmer and reduce to about 100ml in volume. 4. Once reduced strain through a sieve. 5. You can then either store the liquid reduction in a jar or bottle to use later. 6. To finish the sauce simply add the cream and then slowly whisk in the cubes of butter until the sauce thickens over a gentle heat. 7. Be sure not to overheat the sauce when adding the butter as it may split.

SMOKED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Soak the wood chips in water 1 hour, then prepare your grill for smoking.
• Season the tomatoes with salt and pepper. Divide the herbs between the disposable pie pans, then add the tomatoes, cut-side down.
• Once the grill reaches 250 degrees F, place the pans with the tomatoes on the cooler side of the grill. Close the grill and let smoke until the tomatoes are tender, 30 to 40 minutes. If using a gas grill, turn off the flame and let the tomatoes sit 10 more minutes (this is not necessary if using charcoal; it imparts more smoky flavor). Remove from the grill and serve hot or at room temperature.

CRABMEAT AND SPINACH FLAN WITH SMOKED TOMATO BUERRE BLANC

Steps:

• In a stainless steel bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, and mustard. Season with the celery salt, cayenne pepper, and salt, to taste. The egg mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Pick through the crabmeat carefully to be sure that all the shell and cartilage are removed. Put 2 quarts of water on to boil. Brush 8 (5-ounce) timbale molds with clarified butter. Cut out 8 round disks of waxed paper and place 1 in the bottom of each mold. Brush the paper with butter. Divide the crabmeat among the 8 molds. Pour 2 tablespoons of the custard over the crabmeat in each mold. Carefully fill the molds with the Spinach Mousse. Place the filled molds in a 12 by 12 by 2-inch baking dish. Fill the dish halfway with boiling water and gently place on the lower rack of the oven. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the mousse is firm to the touch. If the tops of the timbales begin to brown, cover with aluminum foil. Carefully remove the dish from the oven and let the timbales set a bit. The timbales can be kept in a warm water bath on top of the stove for several hours. Drizzle with Smoked Tomato Beurre Blanc before serving.
• In a 2-quart heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour, and stir with a wooden spoon for 3 to 4 minutes or until the flour turns a light golden brown. Remove from heat. In a 1-quart heavy bottomed saucepan, scald the milk and cream. Remove from the heat and add to the flour mixture, whisking to incorporate. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is very thick. Remove from heat. Blanch spinach in rapidly boiling water for 30 seconds. Drain, pressing out any excess liquid. Add to the thickened cream mixture. Puree the spinach sauce in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add the eggs and blend lightly to just incorporate. Season with nutmeg, white pepper, and salt. Use as directed above.
• For sauce, heat shallots and cider vinegar in a medium skillet. Reduce until almost no liquid remains. Add cream and pureed tomatoes, bring to a boil, and reduce by 1/2. Reduce heat slightly, and whisking constantly, add butter, piece by piece; the sauce should not be too hot while you are incorporating the butter. When all of the butter has been added, remove from heat and add chives, lemon juice, and salt, to taste. Keep warm until ready to use.

BASIC BEURRE BLANC

Steps:

• Place shallot, bay leaf, peppercorns, vinegar, and wine in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and continue simmering until only 2 tablespoons of liquid remain.
• Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer; simmer until the cream has reduced by half. Increase heat to medium-high, and rapidly whisk in the butter, piece, by piece until it has melted into the cream and thickened it. Strain the sauce through a mesh strainer to remove the spices. Serve immediately.

SMOKED TOMATO BEURRE BLANC

Steps:

• For sauce, heat shallots and cider vinegar in a medium skillet. Reduce until almost no liquid remains. Add cream and pureed tomatoes, bring to a boil, and reduce by 1/2. Reduce heat slightly, and whisking constantly, add butter, piece by piece; the sauce should not be too hot while you are incorporating the butter. When all of the butter has been added, remove from heat and add chives, lemon juice, and salt, to taste. Keep warm until ready to use.