Le Bernardin Pan Roasted Codfish, Sautéed Baby Artichokes, Pistachio and Parmesan in a Sage and Garlic Perfumed Broth

Ingredients:
The Sauce:
4 cups chicken stock
1 pound of chicken meat (legs and thighs cut into 1-inch cubes)
1 shallot, sliced thinly
1 sprig of parsley
1 sprig of thyme
2 cloves garlic, sliced
8 sage leaves

The Artichokes:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cups baby artichokes peeled and sliced thinly
2 teaspoons pistachios, roughly chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup white wine
4 tablespoons sweet butter
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan

The Cod:
4 (six-ounce) cod fillets, boneless and skinless
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon of Wondra flour
salt and pepper to taste

The Garnish:
20 medium-sized arugula leaves
20 medium diced rice bread croutons (lightly browned in extra virgin olive oil)
4  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Procedures:
For the sauce, in a 2-quart saucepan combine chicken stock, chicken, shallot, parsley, thyme and being to a simmer. Simmer slowly for one hour. Strain. You should have about 2 cups finished sauce when finished. Reserve.

In a large frying pan, add the extra virgin olive oil. Add the artichokes, pistachios, salt and pepper and cook rapidly over high heat for one minute. Deglaze with the white wine. Add the butter and lemon and cook until the artichokes are al dente, about 3 minutes. Finish with Parmesan cheese.

For the cod, preheat two large pans over high heat until almost smoking. Divide the canola oil between the pans. Season the cod on both sides with salt, pepper and Wondra flour. Add 2 fillets to each pan and sear until golden, about 3 minutes. Turn the fillets over and cook for another 2 minutes until filets are warm in the center.

To serve, bring the reserved sauce to a boil. Add 2 cloves of sliced garlic and 8 leaves of sage and steep for one minute off the heat. Strain and reserve.

In the center of each of four plates, arrange an equal amount of the artichokes. Place a piece of cod on top of the artichokes. Arrange 5 pieces of the arugula and 5 croutons around the fish and one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Pour sauce evenly around fish and serve immediately.

Makes 4 Servings

Apple Rutabaga Soup

Ingredients:
1 stick (1/4 pound) butter
1 cup onion, roughly chopped
1 cup Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and roughly chopped
1 cup rutabaga, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup butternut squash, peeled, seeded and roughly chopped
1 cup carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped
1 quart good chicken stock
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup maple syrup
Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

Procedures:
1. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, apple, rutabaga, squash, carrots and sweet potato and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent.

2. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until all of the vegetables are cooked through and tender.

3. Purée the vegetables in a blender or food processor. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into the same pot you used to cook the vegetables. Add the cream, maple syrup, salt and cayenne pepper.

4. Return the pot to the stove, bring the soup to a simmer, and serve.

Serves 6-8

Curried Beef

Ingredients:
14oz lean boneless beef
2 tsp. rice wine
3 cups vegetable oil for deep-frying
2 oz clear stock (can use vegetable or chicken stock)
2 tbsp curry oil
1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp. ginger, chopped
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. garlic, chopped
1 tsp. cornstarch dissolved in 1 tsp. water
1/4 tsp. onion, chopped
1/4 tsp. hot red chili pepper, chopped
MSG, optional

Procedures:
Cut beef into 1-inch square chunks.

Heat the oil in a wok over low heat to very hot, 350 degrees F. Deep-fry the beef until it is cooked through. Remove beef, drain, and set aside.

Pour the oil out of the wok, leaving a thin film on the bottom. Reheat until a haze appears on the oil surface.

Add the curry oil, ginger, garlic, onion, chili pepper, rice wine, stock, salt, MSG (optional) and sugar. Stir the cornstarch to blend and add. Add the beef, stir-fry for 2 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened.

Sprinkle with sesame oil and serve.