I love food... I think we've already established this... But really I LOVE food. I love eating at cute bistro's and fancy restaurants but don't get me wrong I love a good happy meal too. I love the experience of trying new cuisine fusions, deep rich flavors that have been coaxed along by an experienced chef and ingredients imported from far away lands.
I love watching shows like Top Chef and Chopped to get ideas for my own kitchen and also to educate myself on ingredients and verbiage. I know that looking at a menu can be intimidating when you don't understand what they are trying to serve you. It also cracks my face up when I read certain descriptions that are over the top snooty for no reason.
Last night I made dinner. I would like to share the recipe with you and at the same time break down some of the vernacular that may not make sense while you are cooking or eating.
Beef Roulade with a Sherry Cream Sauce, Potato and Leek Gratin and Haricot Verts
(What is this you say? Rolled up Beef with stuff in the middle. Thinly sliced potatoes and Green Beans)
But tell your guests the other name and pretend that you slaved away in the kitchen for hours!!
Filling for the Roulade:
Dice (chop up) 8oz of mushrooms
Slice a Leek (Basically a giant green onion- very subtle flavor) Cut off the yucky part at the bottom and use the white and part of the green section. (To clean separate the rings and rinse in a bowl of water. All of the dirt will fall to the bottom) Coarsely chop (do a quick chop with your knife.. It doesn't have to be pretty).
Add one pat of butter (2 tablespoons) to a saute pan and add the mushrooms, leeks and one clove of garlic That has been minced (chopped up very small).
