Recipes from Locust Grove’s Sunset Sensations June Featured Chef

My June 22, 2012 post was about Locust Grove’s Sunset Sensations June featured chef, Edward Kowalski, chef/owner of Lola’s Cafe and Crave Restaurant.  I had mentioned in the post that Chef Ed promised to share some recipes with me and I would post when I receive them.

Chef Ed kept his promise and here they are.

Smoked Salmon Mousse

You will need:

1 cup heavy cream
8 oz. smoked salmon
Lemon zest of half a lemon

Place smoked salmon in food processor on high speed. Add a half a cup of heavy cream. Salt and pepper to taste. Puree until smooth.

Whip the other half a cup of heavy cream. Fold the pureed mixture into the whipped heavy cream. Garnish with snipped chives.

Above photo: the appetizer on the left is the Salmon Mousse in Profiteroles. Would you believe this is the one I did not get to sample.

Carrot Risotto

You will need:

2 cups Arborio rice
6 large carrots
6 cups vegetable stock

Cook risotto three quarters of the way, adding 2 cups of stock and stirring until liquid is absorbed.  When absorbed add 2 more cups and continue on medium heat constantly stirring until the rice has a al dente texture.

In a separate pot, blanch three carrots until tender. Drain from liquid and keep warm.  Juice the other three carrots or use bottled carrot juice as a substitute.

Puree cooked carrots with carrot juice until smooth in a blender. Place the risotto back in a sauté pan on medium heat and fold in carrot puree.  You will need to adjust the consistency with the last 2 cups of veg stock.  Finish with parmesan, salt and pepper to taste.

Above photo: The Carrot Risotto is under the Coffee-ancho Chili Rubbed Hanger Steak This carrot risotto was my favorite.

Pimms Crave Style

You will need:

1 quart sugar
1 quart water
6 stalks rhubarb, thinly sliced

Bring sugar, water, and rhubarb to a boil until sugar is melted. This will be your simple sugar.

Ratio:

3 part lemonade
1 part Pimms
Gin as desired
Club Soda or Ginger ale
Mint cucumber optional

Technique:

Muddle simple syrup, mint, cucumber, and half a lemon in shaker. Fill shaker with ice. Add the 3 part lemonade, 1 part Pimms, and gin as desired. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Pour into Collins glass three quarters of the way. Top with soda, and garnish with cucumber.

Above photo: Chef Ed, center, demonstrating how to make Pimms Crave Style (did not get the opportunity to taste). To his left is his assistant, Sarah, to his right is Joe from Arlington Wine.

Lola’s Cafe and Crave Restaurant is located at:
131 Washington Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: 845-471-8555

Arlington Wine is located at:
718 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Phone: 845-SAYWINE (729-9463)

Copyright © by Norma Chang