4.2.
4.2.1. First make the forcemeat stuffing
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Grind the chicken, pork and unsmoked bacon.
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Mix together in a bowl. Add the egg yolk, cream, cognac, port and
a little truffle juice.
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Season with salt and pepper.
4.2.2. Preparing the cabbage
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Remove any damaged or overly green leaves from the cabbage. Use
only pale green unblemished leaves.
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Remove them from the cabbages and cook in boiling salted water.
Keep them slightly crisp and refresh in ice water.
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Place the cabbage leaves one on top of the other; press them to
extract any remaining water - this step is very important since it
affects the weight and flavour.
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Cut the leaves in half, removing the large central vein.
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Set aside in a dry towel in the refrigerator so that it absorbs
any moisture.
4.2.3. Preparing the vegetables and bacon
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Cut the carrots, onion, celery and smoked bacon into 1 cm (3/8")
dice.
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Sautй in a saucepan with 20 g (4 tsp.) butter; do not let them
colour.
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Add 50 ml (3 tbsp.) chicken stock and cook gently until the
vegetables are soft. Set aside until serving time.
4.2.4. Cooking tips
If the bacon is too salty or smoky, blanch it first: place it into
boiling water and leave it until the water returns to the boil. Since
the bacon is already salty, season the dish only at the very end as
needed.
4.2.5. Assembling and cooking the truffles with cabbage
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Wrap the truffles with forcemeat stuffing (20 g / 2/3 oz per
truffle); then wrap in cabbage leaves to form 110 g / 4 oz. balls.
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Wrap with caul fat.
4.2.6. Cooking tips
The weight of the ingredients is very important. For a truffle weighing
approximately 10 g, you will need 30 g of stuffing and 80 g of cabbage.
If the truffle is smaller, reduce the proportions of the other
ingredients accordingly.
When you wrap the truffle, begin with the lightest coloured leaves and
end with the darkest ones to respect the cabbage's natural coloration.
4.2.6.1. Cooking tips
The caul fat plays an important role. Without it the cabbage will
tend to soften in the oven and fall apart. The caul fat holds the
"head" together and preserves its original shape.
4.2.7. Finishing the dish
Braise the cabbage-wrapped truffles for 35 minutes in equal parts chicken
stock and veal stock in a 220° C (425° F) oven. Heat the vegetable
garnish.
4.2.8. Presentation
On each plate, arrange some of the garnish and a wrapped truffle, cut in
half. Spoon the sauce around and decorate with a few sprigs of chervil.