Accessorizing Mr. Potato

Tilapia on Potato Pancake with Wild Mushrooms & Pearl Sauce:

My grandmother would sit me on the counter as a child and offer me a whole raw potato to try. She’d say – “Try it. Like an apple.” Then she would sprinkle a little salt and say – “Now try it.” With my eyes inquisitively wide open, I would grin in amazement. As a young child this was magical. Only as an adult in reflection do you understand those simple life lessons. Seasoning, the pairing of ingredients, and the seemingly random decisions in preparation, can make or break a gourmet meal. Our final garden harvest this year, much to our surprise, yielded over six pounds of beautiful rustic potatoes which was the source of inspiration tonight. However, for this meal it was “all about the sauce”. Although laborious in many ways, the end result received the OMG award from V, which is my true barometer of success. The reduced sauce offered the earthy flavors with the porcini mushrooms, and the homemade Tapioca added a silky texture.

SECRET INGREDIENT: Tapioca, which makes “pearls” in the sauce

Tilapia on Potato Pancake with Wild Mushrooms & Pearl Sauce

Pearl Sauce

  • Olive oil
  • Leek
  • Carrot
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • (sauté)
  • White wine
  • Chicken stock
  • Soy sauce
  • Parsley sprig
  • Thyme sprig
  • Bay leaf
  • Dried porcini (with steeping liquid)
  • (simmer 30 min, sieve, reduce)
  • Tapioca (1-2 Tbl) – add to reduced sauce just after fish is sautéed

Potato Pancakes

  • Dried porcini
  • Potatoes (shredded, drained, food processor)
  • Onion (shred with potato)
  • Egg (1)
  • Flour (1+ Tbl)
  • Baking powder (1/4 tsp)
  • Salt & pepper
  • Thyme
  • Olive oil

Sautéed Mushrooms

  • Olive oil
  • Mushrooms (oyster, chanterelle, crimini)
  • Butter
  • Salt & pepper
  • Celery rib
  • (steeping liquid from dried porcini, then add Tapioca)

Sauteed Fish

  • Curry
  • Flour
  • Tilapia (or other firm fish)
  • Salt & pepper
  • Butter

-- Weather When Posted --

  • Temperature: 42°F;
  • Humidity: 36%;
  • Heat Index: 42°F;
  • Wind Chill: 34°F;
  • Pressure: 29.65 in.;

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