WSVN — Serve it as an appetizer or a dessert, tonight's Bite is elegant and delicious. French cuisine is on the menu tonight as we grab a Bite with Belkys.
The Chef: Steven Jung
The Restaurant: La Riviera inside Sofitel Miami
The Dish: Goat Cheese & Pears in Phyllo
Ingredients:
7 oz. goat cheese
11 oz. green pears, cubed
3.5 oz. almonds, sliced
3 oz. macadamia nuts, chopped
1 1/2 sheets each Phyllo dough
white pepper to taste
7 oz. clarified butter
Assorted fresh herbs to garnish
Method of Preparation:
-Start by peeling and cubing pears. Pour clarified butter in a hot pan and add the pears and white pepper and sauté for about 3 minutes. When the pears are a light golden brown set aside to cool.
– Next add sliced almonds to a dry pan and toast. Add macadamia nuts and when they're light brown set them aside.
– Now for the phyllo. These are very thin sheets of dough you can buy at any grocery store. Put one sheet on a flat surface and brush it with butter. Fold the sheet in half and brush on more butter.
– Take a second sheet of phyllo and put it on top of the folded sheet. Again, add more butter. Cut the sheet down the middle and discard the leftover, leaving the side that has the three sheets together. Chef trims the ends to make it all even.
– Now add the filling. Put the sautéed pears along the bottom, leaving two inches of phyllo open on each side. Add the almonds and macadamia nuts and little chunks of goat cheese. Brush the sides with butter and fold each end in and roll it up like a big cigar.
– Add more butter as you go. It seems like a lot but it's the glue that holds the roll together. Cool the phyllo roll in the fridge for twenty minutes, then bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees. When it's golden brown take it out to cool.
To Plate:
– Chef Steven makes a work of art on a platter with a splash of creamy beets, radishes, micro-greens, arugula, vegetables -orchids and nuts. He slices the goat cheese and pear phyllo in half —and places it in the center of the platter.
Serving suggestion: Chardonnay
Serves: 2
La Riviera
Sofitel Miami
5800 Blue Lagoon Drive
Miami, FL 33126
305/503-8334
http://www.larivieramiami.com/Cuisine