Taste With The Eyes

Monkfish Cargot (Escargots-Style)

A delightful dinner at Michael Mina’s Bardot Brasserie in the Aria Las Vegas served as the inspiration for this dish. But alas, with no snails on hand, I decided to try a monkfish version of Escargots de Bourgogne instead.

Et voilà, it exceeded our expectations!

The flesh of monkfish is dense, meaty, and succulent, with a sweet flavor. It has a firm texture that holds up well to baking at high heat in garlic butter, making it a perfect substitute for snails in this escargots-style recipe.

Monkfish Cargot (Escargots-Style)

Monkfish, also known as lotte in French cuisine, is a unique-looking fish found in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean. It’s known for its rather unattractive appearance, with a large, flat head, tapering body, and a wide mouth filled with sharp teeth.

Despite its unappealing looks, monkfish is prized for its delicious, firm flesh, often compared to lobster or scallops in taste and texture. It’s also a sustainable seafood choice, as monkfish populations are relatively abundant and well-managed.

Bardot Brasserie Las Vegas

Bardot Brasserie

ESCARGOTclassically prepared, absinthe butter, garlic, baguette — BARDOT BRASSERIE ESCARGOTS
classically prepared, absinthe butter, garlic, baguette

As we also took some food to go, I was able to bring home a paper baguette bag too, to use in my photographs.

Monkfish Cargot Recipe

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Smoked Salmon Matzah Brei

Fried Matzah and Eggs
Smoked Salmon, Capers, Scallions
Horseradish Creme Fraiche, Chives

Matzah brei is a traditional Jewish dish served during Passover. It consists of matzah (unleavened bread) that is softened briefly in water, then sautéed in butter and cooked with beaten eggs.

It seems that every Jewish family has their own way of making Matzah Brei, some with a greater ratio of matzah to egg, some lightly browned cooked in a frittata style, some in a french toast style served sweet with maple syrup or cinnamon sugar.

I go for a savory scrambled version. For a special Passover brunch treat, I add smoked salmon, capers, scallions, and a dollop of horseradish crème fraîche.

Matzah brei is pronounced “MAHT-suh bry.” Brei rhymes with try. Try it!

Smoked Salmon Matzah Brei Recipe

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Salted Flourless Chocolate Cake

An incredibly easy way to impress your guests on Passover (and other times of the year!) is to serve a home-baked flourless chocolate cake for dessert. With its luscious fudgy texture and intense cocoa taste where flaky Maldon sea salt enhances the experience, this effortless cake is bound to be a big hit every time.

Salt has a fascinating way of complementing chocolate in desserts. Salt acts as a flavor enhancer, bringing out the natural richness and depth of the chocolate while also balancing its sweetness making the overall taste experience more complex and satisfying.

Additionally, Maldon sea salt provides a pleasant contrast in texture. The slight crunchiness of the salt crystals complements the smoothness of the chocolate, adding an extra layer of sensory delight to each bite.

This cake is so darn delicious that it doesn’t even need frosting or fancy garnishes. A simple dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder and/or powdered sugar is all it takes to make it shine.

Salted Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

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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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New Mexico Style Roast Duck with Salsa Verde

New Mexico Style Roast Duck
With Salsa Verde

“The goal of my so-called mission is to show people a way to create satisfying meals with a minimum of effort and time…I think there’s a level of satisfaction and pride that comes from preparing a meal for yourself and your family and friends – even if it is helped along by pre-made ingredients,” Chef Nancy Silverton.

I’ve been a fan of her book “A Twist of the Wrist – Quick Flavorful Meals with Ingredients from Jars, Cans, Bags, and Boxes” since it came out in 2007. Of course we enjoy and cherish all our recipes made from scratch, but sometimes a quick, easy, and flavorful meal is in order.

This New Mexico Style Roast Duck recipe is an example of the Chef’s philosophy: I roast a precooked half-duck to crispy skin perfection in 25 minutes, and pair it with a Hatch New Mexico Salsa Verde from a jar.

The richness of duck meat can stand up to bold flavors, and the contrast between the savory duck and the heat of a spicy sauce creates a delicious harmony. Salsa verde complements the natural flavors of the duck while adding an extra layer of complexity. It’s fast, and effortless, and fabulous… I’m confident Chef Nancy Silverton would agree.

New Mexico Style Roast Duck with Salsa Verde