Foie Gras Soup with Lentil Gnocchi and Balsamic Onions
Recipe from
Food & Wine
"Earth, color, red things," are the words Pierre Gagnaire uses to describe the Hermes perfume that inspired his dish, Parfums de Terre. This marvelous soup is one of the dish's seven components. Both the foie gras that enriches the broth and the lentil gnocchi are earthy; the lightly pickled onion wedges add brightness and tang, not to mention a hint of color.

Servings:
6
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Ingredients
-
3 tablespoonsunsalted buttersee savings

-
2thick slices of lean bacon, finely choppedsee savings

-
1small carrot, thinly slicedsee savings

-
1/2small white onion, finely choppedsee savings

-
1/2 cupbrown lentilssee savings

-
2 cupswatersee savings

-
1/3 cupplus 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose floursee savings

-
1/3 cupplus 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheesesee savings

-
1large egg, beatensee savings

-
1large egg yolksee savings

-
1/2 teaspoonsaltsee savings

-
1/4 teaspoonfreshly ground peppersee savings

-
1/2small red onion, cut into thin wedgessee savings

-
1 tablespoonwhite balsamic vinegarsee savings

-
1/3 cupruby portsee savings

-
1 cupchicken stock or low-sodium brothsee savings

-
13-ounce slice of pure foie gras pate, cut into 1-inch cubessee savings

-
Salt and freshly ground peppersee savings

-
Aged balsamic vinegar, for drizzlingsee savings

Directions
1.
MAKE THE GNOCCHI: In a medium saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the bacon, carrot, and onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Add the lentils and water, cover and simmer over low heat until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. Uncover and boil over high heat until most of the water has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
2.
Set aside 1/4 cup of the lentils. Transfer the remaining lentils and any liquid to a food processor and puree. Pass the puree through a coarse strainer into a large bowl; you should have about 1 cup.
3.
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil, then reduce the heat so the water simmers. Set a large bowl of ice water nearby. Add the flour, cheese, egg, egg yolk, salt, and pepper to the lentil puree and stir until a dough forms. Transfer the dough to a resealable plastic bag. Using scissors, cut a 1/2-inch diagonal opening from a corner of the bag. Working over the simmering water, pipe out and cut 1/2-inch pieces of the dough, letting them drop into the water. Cook the gnocchi until tender, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the gnocchi to the ice water to cool. Drain, gently pat dry with paper towels and transfer to a bowl.
4.
In a large nonstick skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the gnocchi and cook over moderate heat, stirring a few times, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
5.
PREPARE THE BALSAMIC ONION WEDGES: Put the onion wedges on a microwave-safe plate and drizzle with the white balsamic vinegar. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high power for 1 minute.
6.
MAKE THE FOIE GRAS BROTH: In a medium saucepan, boil the port over high heat until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Pour the mixture into a blender and add the foie gras cubes. Puree until smooth, then pass the foie gras broth through a fine strainer into the saucepan. Warm the broth over moderately low heat, whisking constantly; do not boil. Season with salt and pepper.
7.
Rewarm the gnocchi. Spoon the gnocchi and the reserved lentils into 6 small bowls. Ladle the foie gras broth over the gnocchi and garnish with the onion wedges. Drizzle each serving with aged balsamic vinegar and serve right away.
MAKE AHEAD
The boiled gnocchi can be lightly tossed with oil and refrigerated overnight.
Add Your Review
Related Recipe
Articles
Beer-Battered Onion Rings: Make the Takeout
...The best onion rings are feather-light and crisp, made with sweet onions and a breading that lets... their flavor shine through. Sadly, most of the onion rings you get when you order out are those frozen circles... of 80 percent too-salty batter and 20 percent onion. Ah, but when you make your own batter, you control... read more...
...The best onion rings are feather-light and crisp, made with sweet onions and a breading that lets... their flavor shine through. Sadly, most of the onion rings you get when you order out are those frozen circles... of 80 percent too-salty batter and 20 percent onion. Ah, but when you make your own batter, you control... read more...
Cheeseburger Soup: Dinner for $10
...Want to work up a little wizardry in the kitchen to wow your kids? Take cheeseburgers, take soup..., and with a bit of behind-the-scenes alchemy -- presto! -- you've got Cheeseburger Soup. (Don't worry..., no blender required.) Take that, Harry Potter. How the heck did you do that? It's a full-fledged hearty soup... read more...
...Want to work up a little wizardry in the kitchen to wow your kids? Take cheeseburgers, take soup..., and with a bit of behind-the-scenes alchemy -- presto! -- you've got Cheeseburger Soup. (Don't worry..., no blender required.) Take that, Harry Potter. How the heck did you do that? It's a full-fledged hearty soup... read more...
Great Tortilla Recipes from Soup to Salad
..., with tortillas that lead to soup, a main course, and even dessert. Tortillas are traditionally made with corn... corn tortilla slices give this salad a little extra oomph. Tortilla Soup You can't go wrong... with this popular standard as long as you've got corn, tomatoes, and soup-infused tortillas. Goat Cheese Truffle Oil... read more...
..., with tortillas that lead to soup, a main course, and even dessert. Tortillas are traditionally made with corn... corn tortilla slices give this salad a little extra oomph. Tortilla Soup You can't go wrong... with this popular standard as long as you've got corn, tomatoes, and soup-infused tortillas. Goat Cheese Truffle Oil... read more...

