Seared Foie Gras with Caramelized Apples
Notes: Up to a day ahead, caramelize, cool, cover, and chill the apples. Reheat in a single layer in a shallow pan in a 350° oven about 10 minutes. Toast bread and prepare greens before cooking the foie gras.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Rinse foie gras; pat dry. Gently pull apart the lobes. Discard any tough membrane. Cut pieces crosswise into 3/4-inch-thick slices; cover and chill.
Step 2
2
Divide butter between 2 nonstick frying pans, 12 to 14 inches wide; melt over medium-high heat. Stir 1/4 cup sugar into each. Lay apples equally in pans. Cook until wedges are browned and soft but still hold their shape, 15 to 20 minutes; turn as needed.
Step 3
3
Set a slice of toast on each dinner plate; arrange apples equally beside toast and place in a 150° oven.
Step 4
4
Quickly rinse and dry frying pans; place over high heat. When hot, fill with a single layer of foie gras; pieces can touch but shouldn't be crowded. Brown on 1 side, about 30 seconds; turn and brown other side, about 30 seconds more. As slices are browned, quickly put on toast and keep warm. To reduce spattering, pour fat from pan as it accumulates; reserve for other uses.
Step 5
5
Pour all but 3 tablespoons drippings from 1 pan. Add broth and vinegar to pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Pour hot dressing over greens, mix, and mound beside apples and toast. Serve at once, adding salt to taste.
Step 6
6
Handling and cooking foie gras: Keep foie gras chilled until you use it - up to a week sealed in its wrapper. (Foie gras gets soft and difficult to handle when warm.) To sauté foie gras, you need a hot pan and good ventilation, because the rendered fat spatters and smokes. Pour off the fat as it accumulates and use oven mitts to protect your hands.
Step 7
7
Nutrition information is not available, but foie gras is very high in fat.
Ingredients
1 duck foie gras (1 to 1 1/3 lb.)
1/4 cup (1/8 lb.) butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
6 Newtown Pippin or Granny Smith apples (2 1/2 to 2 3/4 lb. total), peeled, cored, and each cut into 6 wedges
6 to 8 slices coarse-texture bread (sourdough, dark rye), toasted
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup balsamic or red wine vinegar
1/2 pound butter lettuce or mixed salad leaves, rinsed, crisped, and torn into bite-size pieces
Salt
Directions
Step 1
1
Rinse foie gras; pat dry. Gently pull apart the lobes. Discard any tough membrane. Cut pieces crosswise into 3/4-inch-thick slices; cover and chill.
Step 2
2
Divide butter between 2 nonstick frying pans, 12 to 14 inches wide; melt over medium-high heat. Stir 1/4 cup sugar into each. Lay apples equally in pans. Cook until wedges are browned and soft but still hold their shape, 15 to 20 minutes; turn as needed.
Step 3
3
Set a slice of toast on each dinner plate; arrange apples equally beside toast and place in a 150° oven.
Step 4
4
Quickly rinse and dry frying pans; place over high heat. When hot, fill with a single layer of foie gras; pieces can touch but shouldn't be crowded. Brown on 1 side, about 30 seconds; turn and brown other side, about 30 seconds more. As slices are browned, quickly put on toast and keep warm. To reduce spattering, pour fat from pan as it accumulates; reserve for other uses.
Step 5
5
Pour all but 3 tablespoons drippings from 1 pan. Add broth and vinegar to pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Pour hot dressing over greens, mix, and mound beside apples and toast. Serve at once, adding salt to taste.
Step 6
6
Handling and cooking foie gras: Keep foie gras chilled until you use it - up to a week sealed in its wrapper. (Foie gras gets soft and difficult to handle when warm.) To sauté foie gras, you need a hot pan and good ventilation, because the rendered fat spatters and smokes. Pour off the fat as it accumulates and use oven mitts to protect your hands.
Step 7
7
Nutrition information is not available, but foie gras is very high in fat.
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