Jean Georges Vongerichtens Crispy Aromatic Duck Recipes

JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN'S FRIED SUSHI CAKES

Steps:

• Combine sushi rice, mirin, rice-wine vinegar, konbu and 1 tablespoon salt in a medium saucepan with 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid wrapped in a damp cloth and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes or until done. (Alternatively, use a rice cooker.) Remove from the heat and let sit for 15 minutes.
• Line an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with plastic wrap. Firmly press the rice into the pan. Refrigerate until set, preferably overnight. Remove the rice from the pan and, using a chef's knife dipped in hot water to prevent sticking, cut into roughly 1-by-3-inch rectangles.
• Make the chipotle mayonnaise: Combine the egg yolk, red-wine vinegar, orange juice, lime juice, adobo and liquid and 1 teaspoon salt and purée in a food processor or blender. Add the 3/4 cup grapeseed oil and the olive oil in a drizzle and process until smooth, thick and creamy.
• Make the honey soy sauce: In a small saucepan, bring the soy sauce, honey, sherry vinegar and 1 tablespoon rice-wine vinegar to a boil and stir until smooth. Cool before using.
• Heat grapeseed oil in a pan, deep enough to just about cover the rectangles. A broad skillet will require more oil than a deep saucepan, but will allow you to cook more pieces at once. Allow oil temperature to reach 350 to 360 degrees. Dredge the rice rectangles in rice flour and cook until golden and crispy, about 5 minutes total, turning once; transfer to paper towels and season with salt
• Combine chipotle mayonnaise and scallions. Top each rectangle with a bit of the mayonnaise, then drape with a piece of raw scallop. Brush or drizzle with honey soy, then garnish with a bit of cilantro and a tiny pinch of salt.

JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN'S CRISPY AROMATIC DUCK

Steps:

• Rinse and dry the duck. Rub it inside and out with a mixture of salt, peppercorns, cumin and spice powder, then refrigerate in a plastic bag overnight.
• Brush the spices off the duck and stuff the ginger and 3-inch lengths of scallion into the cavity. Steam, covered, for 2 hours, adding boiling water as necessary.
• Remove the duck and discard the ginger and scallions. Cool until dry, about 2 hours.
• Cut the duck into quarters, dust with flour and shake off excess. Fry the legs and thighs in peanut oil for 12 to 15 minutes, breasts 8 to 10 minutes, until crisp. Drain, and when cool, shred the meat with a fork.
• To serve, brush each pancake with hoisin to taste, add some shredded duck and scallions and roll up as for Peking duck.

JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKES

Steps:

• In the top of a double boiler set over simmering water, heat the butter and chocolate together until the chocolate is almost completely melted. While that's heating, beat together the eggs, yolks, and sugar with a whisk or electric beater until light and thick.
• Beat together the melted chocolate and butter; it should be quite warm. Pour in the egg mixture, then quickly beat in the flour, just until combined.
• Butter and lightly flour four 4-ounce molds, custard cups, or ramekins. Tap out the excess flour, then butter and flour them again. Divide the batter among the molds. (At this point you can refrigerate the desserts until you are ready to eat, for up to several hours; bring them back to room temperature before baking.).
• Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Bake the molds on a tray for 6 to 7 minutes; the center will still be quite soft, but the sides will be set.
• Invert each mold onto a plate and let sit for about 10 seconds. Unmold by lifting up one corner of the mold; the cake will fall out onto the plate. Serve immediately.