Squab With Mushrooms And Pears Recipes

PARCHMENT-BAKED SQUAB WITH MUSHROOMS RECIPE

Steps:

• Stir the wine, soy sauces, oyster-flavored sauce and sugar together in a large bowl until the sugar is dissolved. For the Dish: Turn the squab pieces in the marinade until coated. Let stand for 10 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut 4 pieces of parchment paper or heavy-duty aluminum foil into 12- by 18-inch rectangles. Lay them out on a work surface and divide the sausage, button and shiitake mushrooms and green onions evenly among them, mounding them slightly in the center of the parchment. Place a half-squab, skin-side up, over each pile. Bring the long side of the parchment rectangles together over the squab and roll the ends together to hold them together. Seal the ends of the packet with a series of small folds. Place the packets on a baking sheet large enough to hold them comfortably as you work. Bake the squab 25 to 30 minutes or until desired doneness is reached (Open one packet to test the squab for doneness before serving). Transfer each packet to a warm plate and garnish each with a cilantro sprig. Have your guests tear or cut open their own packets, being careful of the hot fragrant steam. This recipe yields 4 servings.

SQUAB WITH PEARS

Steps:

• Place a rack in middle of oven, and heat to 500 degrees. In a saucepan just large enough to hold pears in one layer, bring chicken stock, red wine and red wine vinegar to a boil. Add pears in one layer, and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through. Take 2 pear halves, and cut into chunks. Keep remaining pears covered to keep warm. In a blender, puree chunks with poaching liquid.
• Bring 1 3/4 cups of water to a boil. Add bulgur, and return to the boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover pan, and cook 15 minutes.
• While bulgur is cooking and pears are poaching, rub each squab with pear brandy, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place squabs in a roasting pan, and roast for 16 to 17 minutes, or until juices run clear.
• Drain any remaining water from bulgur, fluff with fork, stir in butter, and allow it to melt. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• When squabs are roasted, remove to a platter. If pears have cooled, reheat in microwave for 2 minutes. Place roasting pan on stove over medium heat. Pour in 1/3 cup water, and boil, scraping up any browned bits on bottom of pan with a wooden spoon. Stir in pear puree and cardamom, and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in scallions. Spoon some sauce over birds and bulgur, and pass the rest.

MUSHROOM PEAR MELTS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook and stir until tender, 5-7 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper., Place toast slices on a rack of a broiler pan. Top with mushrooms; layer with pears and cheese. Broil 3-4 in. from heat until cheese is lightly browned, 2-3 minutes.

HERBED GRAIN SALAD WITH MUSHROOMS, HAZELNUTS AND PEARS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in barley and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook at a gentle boil until tender but not mushy, 30 to 40 minutes. (Different grains will cook at different rates.)
• Make the dressing: In a food processor, combine the greens, dill and garlic and process until finely chopped, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the whole nuts and pulse a few times to coarsely chop. While the motor is running, add the 3/4 cup oil gradually in a slow stream and process until smooth. Add the vinegar, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper (12 to 16 grinds), and mix. Taste and adjust the seasonings with vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. It should taste bright and rich.
• Cook the mushrooms: In a wide, medium-size pot, combine the mushrooms and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil and cook until the liquid evaporates, about 10 minutes. Stir in the 2 tablespoons oil and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are completely cooked through and well browned, 5 to 10 minutes more. (The mushrooms will shrink quite a bit.) Remove from the heat and sprinkle with salt.
• When the barley is cooked, drain it well and return to the pot. Let cool until warm, stirring occasionally. (If the dressing is added when the grains are too hot, it will turn brown and taste "cooked.") Stir in a little oil if needed to prevent sticking. Stir in dressing and set aside, stirring occasionally, to let the grains absorb the dressing, at least 10 minutes.
• When ready to serve, taste the barley and season again. Gently mix in mushrooms, pear and chopped nuts. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with lots of dill, and serve warm or at room temperature.