Tuna Carpaccio With Roasted Baby Beets And Citrus Pressed Olive Oil Recipes

Steps:

• In a medium nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat the procedure with the zucchini, using an additional 2 teaspoons oil, and cooking for 2 minutes. Repeat with the fennel, using another 2 teaspoons oil, and cooking for 2 minutes. Cool the vegetables completely. Add the tomatoes, olives, remaining 4 tablespoons oil, the vinegar, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 8 hours.
• For each serving, brush the inside of a large dinner plate with some of the oil. Place 1 tuna slice on the plate and cover with a large piece of strong plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat pounder, pound the tuna until it is so thin it covers the inside of the plate. Leaving the plastic wrap intact, refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 8 hours. When ready to serve, carefully peel off the plastic wrap. Brush the tuna with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with the salt. Spoon the vinaigrette over the tuna, spreading it evenly over the surface. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Cut the tuna into 18 cubes, each one 1/2-inch thick, and 1 1/4-inch square. Place the cubes between sheets of lightly-oiled wax paper and flatten with a cleaver. You will have 18 very thin, fairly round "scallops" of tuna. Divide among 6 dinner plates and chill.
• Prepare the sauce: Put the egg yolks in a food processor. Add the lemon juice, and blend for 3 seconds. Add the oil, by drops, at first, then in a thin stream. The sauce will be fairly thick. Add the basil, blend for 3 seconds, then add the cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerating for 30 minutes brings out the flavor.
• When ready to serve, pour the sauce over the tuna slices. Shave the white truffle over all, and garnish each plate with fresh basil leaves.
• Note: Fresh white truffles from Piedmont are available in the U.S. from September through December. They are hideously expensive. The dish also works without them, or with extra-thin slices of white mushrooms sprinkled over the tuna.

Steps:

• Sort the beans to make sure they are free of stones or other debris. Rinse, then cover with cold water, refrigerate, and soak overnight. The next day, drain the beans, place them in a large pot, and cover with the stock. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer the beans for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until they are tender. Add 1 teaspoon of salt in the final 15 minutes of cooking. The addition of salt earlier in the cooking process will result in tough beans.
• Remove the beans with a slotted spoon and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add all the remaining seasoning and other ingredients to the warm beans in the bowl and toss together. Adjust the salt and add freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve warm or chilled.