Trio of grains with sweet corn coulis

6 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1cupCooked Couscous
tablespoonCucumber, finely diced
tablespoonPine Nuts, roasted
tablespoonMint, fresh, finely minced
tablespoonLemon Juice
2tablespoonsTomato Concasse (see note)
1tablespoonHerb-Infused Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper, to taste
1cupBasmati Rice, cooked
2tablespoonsSpinach, chopped and sauteed
2tablespoonsTomato Paste
tablespoonZucchini, blanched and finely diced
Salt and Pepper, to taste
1cupQuinoa, cooked
2tablespoonsShiitake Mushrooms, finely sliced and sauteed
2tablespoonsShiitake Mushroom Duxelles (see note)
1tablespoonRed Bell Pepper, roasted and finely chopped
teaspoonTarragon, fresh, finely chopped
teaspoonHazelnut Oil
Salt and Pepper, to taste
6Ears Sweet Corn (in husks)
1tablespoonWater (up to double amount)
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Sage Leaves, fried (see note)
1pinchFinely Julienned, lightly fried Zucchini (see note)

Directions

COUSCOUS

BASMATI RICE

QUINOA

SWEET CORN COULIS

GARNISHES

Each of the three grain combinations can be formed using timbales or other molds, or by the quenelle method using two large tablespoons.

COUSCOUS, RICE AND QUINOA: Heat all couscous ingredients in a double boiler until warmed through. Pack mixture into 6 small timbale molds (or scoop mixture in a tablespoon, round a second tablespoon over the mixture and press spoons together). Unmold mixture and set aside.

Repeat procedure with basmati rice ingredients; set aside.

Repeat with quinoa ingredients; set aside.

COULIS: Grill, broil or roast corn in their husks for 10 to 12 minutes, until corn is cooked. Discard husks and remove kernels from cobs. In a food processor blend kernels with enough water to produce a sauce. Pass mixture through a fine strainer, and season the liquid with salt and pepper.

TO SERVE: Pour coulis on 6 plates and place one serving of each grain on each plate. Garnish couscous with fried sage leaves; garnish basmati rice with fried zucchini.

NOTES: To make tomato concasse, peel, seed and dice tomatoes and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.

To make shiitake duxelles, finely mince mushrooms and saute in oil with a pinch of minced shallot or onion.

To fry sage leaves and zucchini for the garnishes, heat ¾ inch of oil in a pan to 350 F (a drop of water should ripple and pop on surface of the oil); fry sage leaves for 1 minute, remove to a paper towel and drain.Repeat with finely julienned zucchini, frying just until golden.

Created by: Charlie Trotter, chef extraordinaire, Chicago Source: Vegetarian Times, April 1993 Shared by: Norman R. Brown