edible flowers Archives - Taste With The Eyes

Oeufs Mayonnaise

Classic Bistro Fare
🥚 Oeufs Mayonnaise 🥚

Oeufs Mayonnaise is appreciated for its simplicity and the rich creaminess of the eggs combined with the tanginess of the mayonnaise. It’s a staple in French cuisine and often served as an appetizer in bistros, cafes, and homes across France. It’s a dish that exemplifies the elegance of simplicity and the artistry of combining everyday ingredients in traditional French cooking.

In the late 1980s, Paris experienced a shift in culinary preferences, with traditional dishes like oeufs mayonnaise losing some of their allure. One factor that likely contributed to this decline in interest was growing concern about health issues, particularly the perceived risks associated with consuming foods high in cholesterol. Eggs, a key ingredient in oeufs mayonnaise, were often vilified due to their cholesterol content during this period.

Amidst this changing landscape, Claude Lebey, a prominent figure in the French culinary scene renowned for his restaurant guides, recognized the need to preserve and celebrate dishes like oeufs mayonnaise. In 1990, Lebey took action by establishing the “Association de sauvegarde de l’oeuf mayonnaise” also known as ASOM. This association was dedicated to championing the dish and ensuring its proper preparation in bistros and restaurants across Paris.

Oeufs Mayonnaise

Lebey’s motivation stemmed from a concern that bistros, iconic establishments of French gastronomy cherished for their authentic charm and simple, hearty fare, were gradually losing their traditional character. He viewed oeuf mayonnaise as more than just a dish; it was a symbol of the essence of bistro cuisine—a humble yet delicious offering that epitomized the soul of French culinary heritage.

Lebey’s efforts, coupled with a broader movement towards rediscovering and celebrating traditional cuisine, ultimately contributed to a resurgence of interest in oeufs mayonnaise. The dish regained its place on bistro menus, reaffirming its status as a beloved staple of French gastronomy and a testament to the enduring appeal of simple, well-executed dishes that have stood the test of time.

Today, Claude Lebey’s grandson, Romain Lebey, has continued his family’s legacy by further promoting and preserving French culinary traditions, including the advocacy for dishes like oeufs mayonnaise.

Oeufs Mayonnaise Recipe

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Scallop Lettuce Wraps, Truffle Sauce

🥬 Scallop Lettuce Wraps 🥬
🌿 Truffle Sauce with Chervil 🌿
🌼 Radish, Edible Flowers 🌸

Raw, buttery day-boat Sea Scallops, renowned for their subtle sweetness and delicate velvety texture, are paired with crisp, peppery radish slices and a heavenly truffle sauce infused with chervil. These delightful scallop clusters are then wrapped in tender little gem lettuce leaves, creating an exquisite culinary experience.

Scallop Lettuce Wraps, Truffle Sauce

Mizuna Blossoms and Stock Flower Petals

Mizuna blossoms share a similar flavor profile with the leaves of the mizuna plant, offering a mild yet peppery taste with hints of Chinese mustard.

Stock flowers are known for their dense clusters of fragrant blooms that come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, purple, and shades of red and yellow. They have a snappy radish-like flavor with floral undertones. The taste can vary depending on the variety and growing conditions.

While their beauty is undeniable, the garnishes serve a purpose beyond aesthetics. They play a crucial role in enhancing the dish, contributing elements of both mustard and radish to the final flavor profile.

Scallop Lettuce Wraps, Truffle Sauce

About Maine Day-Boat Scallops

They are harvested by fishermen that go to work in the icy waters then return to port that same day.

Since the fishing trip is short, day-boat scallops do not need to sit on melting ice like longer expeditions, and therefore do not absorb water over the course of the trip.

The taste is pure and natural, as the scallops are not bloated with water after harvest. These scallops are treated with the utmost care, and never soaked in a solution of sodium tripolyphosphate which is commercially used as a preservative but unfortunately degrades the quality of the scallop. Day-boat scallops are always more expensive but worth every penny in taste and texture.

Note: Our fishermen tell us to NEVER let scallops touch fresh water as they soak it up like sponges!

Scallop Lettuce Wraps, Truffle Sauce Recipe

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Shrimp Bisque with Old Bay Croutons

🦐 Shrimp Bisque with Old Bay Croutons 🦐
🌺 Creme Fraiche, Chives, Edible Flowers 🌺

Whereas my previous Shrimp Bisque was hearty and rustic, the texture of this one is smooth and elegant. It is the same hearty-style recipe inspired by Emeril Lagasse and Ina Garten but at the end I simply purée the soup with an immersion blender. And instead of garnishing with jumbo sautéed gulf shrimp, here I top the bisque with buttery homemade Old Bay croutons. A swirl of crème fraîche, snipped chives, and sometimes an edible flower finish it off.

Shrimp Bisque with Old Bay Croutons

Shrimp Bisque and Old Bay Croutons Recipes

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Korean Soy-Braised Black Cod (Eun Daegu Jorim)

Korean Soy-Braised Black Cod
Eun Daegu Jorim

Eun Daegu (black cod) Jorim (a slightly-sweet soy-based braise) is a delicious and visually appealing dish that showcases the intricate balance of flavors and textures inherent in Korean cuisine. Luscious and silky black cod is simmered in the well-seasoned braise with garlic, ginger, red chile powder and red chile paste. The fish cooks along with radish and zucchini as they all absorb those savory-sweet-spicy-umami flavors. The garnishes add fresh, herbaceous, and fiery notes.

Korean Soy-Braised Black Cod (Eun Daegu Jorim)

This dish is easy to prepare, requiring simple techniques, yet it boasts a complexity of flavors that surpasses expectations. And the beauty of this Korean homestyle meal is that it can be prepared in a half hour with frozen black cod. No need to defrost overnight, nor use the quick-defrost method of submerging the fish in cold water for an hour. Nope. Just cook from frozen – the quality and texture of the fish are not compromised.

Korean Soy-Braised Black Cod (Eun Daegu Jorim)

Korean Soy-Braised Black Cod Recipe

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Summer Squash Salad with Burrata

Summer Squash Salad

🌿 🌼 🌿 🌼 🌿

Zucchini and Yellow Crookneck Squash
Burrata, Radish, Lemon, Red Chile, Pistachios, Edible Flowers

Sometimes it’s nice to serve a salad sans lettuce. Here, bountiful and seasonal summer squash step in for the ubiquitous mixed lettuces. Fresh and light, the salad is dressed simply with lemon juice and good olive oil.

Thinly sliced radish adds crunch and peppery notes, while cilantro leaves add the herbal character. A ball of burrata makes the salad fabulous with its mozzarella milky, grassy, floral notes and oozy creamy center. A few edible flowers make this salad even more summery.

Summer Squash Salad with Burrata