Best Seared Sole With Morel Mushrooms And Pea And Asparagus Risotto Recipes

RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS AND MORELS

Steps:

• Scoop the dried morels up from their soaking liquid and squeeze them, letting them drain back into the bowl. Follow by straining the soaking liquid through several layers of cheesecloth and then rinse the morels under running water before slicing them.
• Prepare the fresh morels. Rinse the morels quickly under cold running water and dry them with paper towels. Slice the tops and stems. In a small skillet, soften the shallots in one tablespoon of the butter over moderate heat. Add all the mushrooms and the strained soaking liquid, cover and cook gently for five minutes. Meanwhile, bring the chicken stock to a slow simmer.
• Heat one tablespoon butter and the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet and add the rice. Cook, stirring, until the grains are coated with the butter. Add a cup of the hot stock and cook, stirring frequently, until the rice has absorbed the liquid. Add the mushrooms and season them with salt and pepper to taste, and add the white wine.
• When the liquid has evaporated, add the asparagus, reserving the tips in another one-half cup of the stock. Continue adding the stock, one-half cup at a time as the rice absorbs the liquid, stirring continuously. Add the asparagus tips after the rice has cooked for about 12 minutes, and continue adding the broth, one-half cup at a time, stirring frequently. Continue adding liquid and stirring until the rice is creamy and tender, but just slightly al dente. Correct seasoning, stir in the Parmesan cheese and the remaining butter and sprinkle with parsley.

FRESH PEA AND MOREL-MUSHROOM RISOTTO WITH GRILLED QUAIL

Steps:

• Combine the olive oil, wine, lemon rind, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add the quail and marinate for 2 hours. Prepare the grill. Cook quail over hot coals until medium rare, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Set aside.
• Heat 1 teaspoon of the butter in a heavy-bottomed skillet or pot. Add the onion, season lightly with salt and pepper to taste, stir and cover. Cook for 3 minutes until soft. Place the broth in a separate saucepan and simmer.
• Add the rice to the onion and stir to combine. Ladle in 1/2 cup of the broth and stir. Increase the heat to medium high and, for the next 25 minutes, continue adding broth, 1/2 cup at a time and stirring constantly. After 15 minutes, add the white wine. After 5 more minutes, add the peas and mushrooms. Stir well. The rice should be tender but firm. If not, add more broth. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Stir in the parsley. Divide the rice among 4 warmed plates. Place the quail in the center and serve.

MUSHROOM, ASPARAGUS AND PEA RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a medium stockpot, add the chicken stock and heat until warm.
• In a large stockpot set over medium heat, heat the oil until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Saute the mushrooms, shallots and asparagus until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, 1 more minute. Add the arborio rice and a pinch of salt. Saute for 2 minutes. Then add the wine and cook until the liquid is absorbed, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the stock 1 cup at a time and cook, stirring after each addition, until all of the liquid is absorbed. Season periodically with salt and pepper to taste. (This process takes about 30 minutes of cooking and constant stirring.)
• Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the arugula, peas, cream, Parmesan, butter and lemon juice. Top with the mint and serve.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH MOREL CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Season the scallops on both sides with the salt and white pepper. Set a 12-inch saute pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, place the scallops in the pan and saute for 2 minutes on the first side. Add the butter, placing the cubes in different parts of the pan. Cook the scallops for 1 minute longer, then turn and cook on the second side for 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of the parsley and cook for 1 minute longer.
• Serve the scallops by dividing the sauce between 4warmed, shallow bowls and place 3 scallops in the center of each bowl. Garnish with the remaining parsley.
• 4 servings
• In a 1-cup heatproof glass or stainless steel bowl, place the morels and pour 3/4 cup of hot water over them, being sure that the mushrooms are submerged in the water. Allow to soak for 10 minutes. Remove from the water; rinse the morels under cool water, dice into 1/4-inch rings, set aside and reserve. Strain the remaining soaking water through cheesecloth and reserve separately.
• In a 1-quart saucepan, add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted, add the reserved sliced morels, the shallots, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the white wine and balsamic vinegar and reduce until nearly dry, about 3 minutes. Add the reserved mushroom broth and cook until reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 5 minutes. Add the heavy cream and cook until reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Swirl the remaining butter into the sauce and adjust the seasoning. Set aside on a low heat until ready to use. (Do not allow sauce to boil or it will separate.)

FRESH MOREL, ASPARAGUS AND SWEET-PEA RISOTTO

Steps:

• Cook the asparagus in boiling, salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and refresh under cold running water. Cut diagonally into 1/4-inch slices and set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and saute until soft, about 10 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper and set aside.
• Bring the broth to a boil in a medium saucepan, reduce heat and keep at a low simmer. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of butter with the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and garlic and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the rice with a wooden spoon, turning to coat well. Cook, stirring constantly, for 4 minutes. Stir in the wine, raise the heat to medium and cook until the wine is absorbed, about 1 minute.
• Begin adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and adding more broth as it is absorbed by the rice. Adjust heat so rice and broth cook at a steady simmer. After about 15 minutes, the rice should be somewhat tender and some broth should be left.
• Cook for another few minutes, adding more broth as needed, until the rice is al dente. Stir in the asparagus, the mushrooms, the peas, the chives and 1 tablespoon of butter. Season with 2 teaspoons of salt and pepper. Divide among 6 shallow bowls and garnish with the chervil. Serve immediately.