Duck Croquettes and Sweet Pea Puree

Student Finalist 2016 Chef Recipe Contest Alvin Lawe Johnson & Wales University Providence RI

Ingredients

  • 2 large Russet Potatoes
  • 1 Egg Yolk
  • 4 oz Pecorino Romano Cheese
  • 3 oz Heavy Cream
  • Nutmeg, pinch
  • 6 oz Maple Leaf Farms Pulled Duck Leg Meat
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • Flour, as needed
  • 4 Eggs, beaten
  • Panko Breadcrumbs, seasoned, as needed
  • Oil for frying
  • 2 Tbsp Butter
  • 1/2 cup Shallots, diced
  • 1 quart Fresh Peas
  • 2 oz Cream
  • 4 sprigs Fresh Thyme, stems removed and leaves chopped
  • 4 sprigs Fresh Tarragon, stems removed and leaves chopped
  • Vegetable Stock, as needed
  • 1 cup Demi Sauce, optional
  • 4-6 Baby Carrots
  • 1 1/2 cups Brown Beech Mushrooms
  • Pea Greens, garnish
  • Fresh Mint, garnish

Direction

  • Bring a pot of salted water to boil enough to cover potatoes. Cook for 45 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender.
  • To shape the potatoes into croquettes place potato mixture into a plastic piping bag and pipe cylinders 1x3 inches on a cutting board.
  • Preheat fryer for the croquettes.
  • Gather ingredients for breading procedure: flour eggs and bread crumbs. One at a time coat potato cylinders in flour then eggs then bread crumbs.
  • Fry croquettes until golden brown. Place aside to drain oil.
  • Place butter in saucepot and sweat the shallots. Add fresh peas and cook till tender. Then add cream fresh thyme and tarragon. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Puree peas in a blender. May need to add hot vegetable stock if puree is too thick. Hold warm until service. Heat up cup of demi sauce if desired.
  • Blanch baby carrots and shock in ice water. Then sauté carrots with beech mushrooms in butter and season.
  • Plating: Spoon a pool of pea puree on plate. Place a few carrots and mushrooms on top of puree. Place three croquettes on top. Garnish with pea greens and sliced mint. Spoon demi sauce around croquettes if desired.