POT-AU-FEU OF FOIE GRAS

Pot-Au-Feu Of Foie Gras image

Pot-au-feu, the French boiled dinner, is everyday food that is a Cinderella at heart. When Eric Ripert waves his wand, it emerges dressed for a holiday feast. He poaches foie gras, not a chicken, in broth with vegetables. ''It's very simple,'' he said. ''Just expensive.''

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Categories dinner, soups and stews, main course

Time 45m

Yield 6 main course servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 whole fresh Grade A duck foie gras, about 1 1/2 pounds
Sea salt
Freshly ground white pepper
6 medium creamer or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled
4 stalks celery, trimmed
4 carrots, peeled
6 slender leeks, well rinsed and trimmed
2 medium white turnips, peeled
2 1/2 quarts degreased chicken stock, preferably homemade
1 cup red wine
4 1-inch-thick chunks peeled fresh ginger
1/2 cup black truffle juice (optional)
1 tablespoon minced chives
Fleur de sel

Steps:

Divide foie gras where it separates into two unequal pieces. Cut a half-inch slice from ends of each piece and discard or reserve for another use. Remove and discard veins or nerves on surface of foie gras. Place foie gras in a bowl. Mix 1 tablespoon sea salt with 3 cups water, pour over foie gras and add enough ice cubes to cover. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 to 12 hours.
Remove foie gras from ice water and pat dry. Fill a pitcher with enough boiling water to submerge most of the blade of an 8-inch knife. Slice each section of foie gras crosswise into slabs about 3/4-inch thick, dipping knife in hot water before making each slice. Lay slices on a cutting board. Using tip of a paring knife, pluck out any tiny spots of blood from slices. Season slices on both sides with salt and pepper. Cover loosely with plastic wrap until ready to cook.
Halve potatoes, place in a pot of salted water, and cook until just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside, covered.
While potatoes cook, cut celery stalks, carrots and leeks into 3-inch lengths. You should have 12 pieces each. Cut each turnip into 6 wedges. Bring stock to a simmer in a 4-quart casserole. Add vegetables and simmer 10 minutes. Remove any that are tender when pierced with a sharp knife. Continue cooking until all are tender. Set vegetables aside to drain on paper towel.
Warm 6 large soup plates. Place wine in a small pitcher. Return stock to a fast simmer, add ginger, cook gently for 5 minutes, then slip in slices of foie gras. Remove from heat and allow foie gras to steep 6 minutes. Do not overcook. Place 2 slices of foie gras in each soup plate.
Return vegetables to stock. Cook 30 seconds, then remove vegetables with a slotted spoon and divide among plates. Discard ginger. Put two pieces of potato in each plate. Strain stock into a saucepan and add truffle juice, if desired, bring to a simmer, then ladle stock over and around foie gras. Sprinkle chives on top, and serve at once, with fleur de sel on the side. Pass wine so guests can add a little to their plates.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 762, UnsaturatedFat 22 grams, Carbohydrate 77 grams, Fat 37 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 25 grams, SaturatedFat 12 grams, Sodium 2160 milligrams, Sugar 16 grams