THE VEAL THING

Created by Graham Kerrr for Jamaica Inn, Port Antonio, Jamaica

1 1/2 pounds veal tenderloin, trimmed, halved, and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cups veal stock
3 tablespoons salted butter
3 tablespoons flour, sifted, plus more for dusting
8 ounces white wine
4 ounces mushrooms, halved or quartered depending on size
1/8 cup clarified butter
1 (13-ounce) package puff pastry, defrosted in refrigerator
1 egg yolk, beaten
1/4 cup brandy
4 ounces pimento
1/4 cup whipped cream
3 ounces tiny shrimp
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
2 black truffles, washed, dried, and finely chopped

Heat roasting pan over medium heat. When hot, add veal and cover with stock. Poach, stirring and skimming occasionally.

Meanwhile, melt salted butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in 3 tablespoons flour. Increase heat and cook roux for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and gradually add wine and 1 cup of the veal liquid. Blend well and pour over veal.

In a small pan, cook mushrooms in clarified butter over low heat. Add to veal. Heat veal until boiling, then reduce heat to medium and cook for 18 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Roll out puff pastry on lightly floured board to 1/8-inch thickness. Grease the underside of an upturned, medium ovenproof bowl. Drape dough over bowl and press down to smooth creases. Trim off excess dough and make criss-cross cuts lightly over pastry surface, careful not to cut through. Brush with egg yolk. Place on baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.

Add brandy and pimento to cooked veal. Carefully blend in cream, then the shrimp. Add parsley and truffles just before serving.

To serve, pour onto platter and cover with pastry dome.
 
 

Yield: 4 servings