Majorcan Style Brains Recipes

MAJORCAN

Steps:

• Place each loaf of bread dough in separate bowl. Add 1 tablespoon oil to each; season each with 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Knead each in bowl until oil is well incorporated, about 3 minutes. Let dough rest in bowls 10 minutes.
• Oil two 15x10-inch baking sheets. Turn out dough onto floured surface; knead 1 minute. Roll out each dough piece to irregular 13x9-inch rectangle, pulling and stretching dough. Transfer each to prepared sheet. Brush each with 1 tablespoon oil. Let dough rise uncovered in warm draft-free area until puffy, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add bell peppers and chard ribs and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add chard leaves and stir until just wilted and coated with oil, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Press dough all over with fingers, forming indentations. Brush each with 1 tablespoon of oil. Spread vegetables over, leaving 1-inch border. Bake until crusts are golden, about 25 minutes. Serve at room temperature.

MAJORCAN STYLE BRAINS

Steps:

• Remove skin and any nasty-looking pieces from calves' brains. Rinse in cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with flour and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and saute until translucent. Add seasoned brains and brown slightly all over. Add vinegar and stock, reduce heat to low and let all simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
• Remove brains from skillet. Slice them and place slices in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cook skillet juices rapidly to reduce. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Strain skillet liquid. In a small bowl beat egg yolks and mix will with the cream. Whisk mixture into skillet sauce. Pour sauce over brains and heat through in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

MAJORCAN STYLE BRAINS

Steps:

• Remove skin and any nasty-looking pieces from calves' brains. Rinse in cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with flour and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and saute until translucent. Add seasoned brains and brown slightly all over. Add vinegar and stock, reduce heat to low and let all simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
• Remove brains from skillet. Slice them and place slices in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cook skillet juices rapidly to reduce. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Strain skillet liquid. In a small bowl beat egg yolks and mix will with the cream. Whisk mixture into skillet sauce. Pour sauce over brains and heat through in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

MAJORCAN-STYLE VEGETABLE AND BREAD STEW

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté until golden and beginning to soften, about 7 minutes. Stir in cabbage and cauliflower; sauté 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, parsley, thyme, and rosemary; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes. Add paprika and stir 30 seconds. Add broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in spinach; simmer uncovered 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated. Bring to simmer before continuing.)
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Immerse 4 bread slices in broth in pot. Place remaining 4 bread slices atop broth; press to submerge. Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Bake uncovered 10 minutes.
• Serve stew from pot. Pass olives and sliced radishes alongside.
• Available from La Tienda (888-472-1022; tienda.com) or from The Spanish Table (206-682-2827; tablespan.com).