1589. FROTHY LETTUCE SOUP with BACON and ONION CUSTARD

makes four servings


salt
four 6-ounce heads of Boston lettuce, trimmed, 2 medium lettuce leaves reserved
2 ounces lean slab bacon, sliced 1/4 inch thick and cut into 1/4-inch dice (1/3 cup)
5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
one 1/2-pound white onion, thinly sliced
1 1/4 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
freshly ground pepper
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
3 tablespoons crème fraîche

Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of salt and the heads of lettuce and blanch, stirring gently with a wire skimmer, for 3 minutes. Drain the lettuce and rinse under cold water. Lightly squeeze out excess water. Transfer the lettuce, still wet, to a blender and puree until smooth. Scrape into a bowl.

In a small skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat until lightly browned, about 4 minutes.

In a large skillet, combine 2 tablespoons of the butter with the onion. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring often, until softened, about 15 minutes.

Transfer the onion to a blender. Add 1/4 cup of the chicken stock and puree. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg, then whisk in the milk and onion puree. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/8 teaspoon of pepper and the nutmeg. Butter four 8-ounce coffee mugs or large ramekins. Pour the onion mixture into the mugs and cover with plastic wrap.

Set a round rack in a large, wide pot. Add enough water to reach just under the rack without touching it and bring to a boil. Set the mugs on the rack. Cover and steam over low heat until the onion custards are barely set, about 22 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring the remaining 1 cup of stock to a boil. Whisk in the lettuce puree and simmer over moderate heat for 3 minutes. Whisk in the crème fraîche and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and gradually whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Season with salt and pepper.

Finely shred the reserved 2 lettuce leaves. When the custards are done, discard the plastic wrap. Scatter the bacon and shredded lettuce over the top. Serve the custards and pour in the lettuce soup at the table.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Joel Robuchon, "Robuchon Headlines in Las Vegas," Food & Wine, February 2006