3808. GRILLED KING TRUMPET MUSHROOM, KALE and BACON SALAD with LEMON-HERB VINAIGRETTE

Makes 4 to 6 servings

1/2 lb large meaty wild mushrooms such as king trumpet, porcini/bolete, or chanterelle

2 or 3 strips applewood-smoked bacon, chopped

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tbsp mixed fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, oregano, and/or mint

1 bunch lacinato kale, ribs removed and leaves cut into strips crosswise

Kosher salt

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Clean the mushrooms with a damp cloth, trim the stems, and cut into 1/2 thick slices. If the mushrooms are too small to place directly on the cooking grate of your grill, thread them onto skewers or have ready a perforated grilling tray. Prepare a charcoal grill for direct heat grilling over medium heat.

In a frying pan, cook the bacon, stirring, until crisp, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain.

In a bowl, stir together 1 tbsp of the bacon drippings with the olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Place the kale in a serving bowl, sprinkle with a little salt and the lemon juice, and massage gently with your hands. Set aside.

Brush the cooking grate of the grill clean, then oil the grate. Brush the mushroom slices lightly with the herb-oil mixture. Grill the mushrooms, turning frequently, until tender and browned, 6–8 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to a plate and brush with a little more of the herb-oil mixture. Chop the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. Taste and season with a little salt.

Add the bacon and mushrooms to the salad. Drizzle with enough of the herb-oil mixture to lightly coat the salad, a tablespoon or so. Toss to combine and serve right away.

bacon recipe source: Kim Laidlaw and Wendy Goodfriend, Bay Area Bites (@bayareabites), KQED, August 23, 2014

2044. ROAST GROUPER with GNOCCHI, PEAS, BACON and PARSNIPS

ROASTED GROUPER
2 pounds grouper, cut into 4-ounce pieces
1-1 1/2 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon canola oil

POTATO GNOCCHI
about 2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup eggs, lightly beaten
4-5 russet potatoes, baked and peeled, mashed through a ricer, not a food processor
1/4 pound butter, melted
parmesan cheese, grated
chives, chopped

BLACK TRUMPET MUSHROOM FRICASSE
1 pound whole, shucked English peas, blanched (save shells to use in chicken stock)
2 1/2 quarts chicken stock
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 - 1/2 pound black forest bacon batons, cooked in a pan
8 ounces trumpet mushrooms, roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper
8 ounces Swanji mushrooms, roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper
3 baby leeks, sliced and gently sautéed
4 parsnips, peeled, sliced and quartered, roasted

ROASTED GROUPER: Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a heavy pan heat butter and canola oil. Sauté the fish until brown on each side. Roast in oven about 10 minutes

POTATO GNOCCHI: Start with the flour in a large bowl, make a well in the flour. As you add each ingredient (one by one) gently mix each in with the tips of your fingers. Add ingredients in this order: eggs, potatoes, melted butter, parmesan, and chopped chives. Knead the final mixture until smooth. Separate the kneaded dough into six workable pieces. Flour the rolling surface. With your hands fashion each piece into a long thin roll. Cut the rolls into bite-sized pieces. Place the raw gnocchi into a pot of boiling salted water. Once the gnocchi rises to the surface continue to simmer for 45 seconds. Remove the gnocchi from the pot with a slotted spoon and place on plate. Add the grouper and top with the ragout.

BLACK TRUMPET MUSHROOM FRICASSE: Cook pea shells in chicken stock. Strain and reduce stock, reserve. In saucepan reduce white wine. Add about 1 quart chicken stock. Simmer while adding bacon, mushrooms, leeks, parsnips, and peas. Serve on top of fish with gnocchi.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Chef Suzanne Tracht, Top Chef Masters, Season 1, Episode 7, Elimination Challenge, Bravo TV