From the Chef's Kitchen: Beef Tartare with Black Garlic, Celery, and Pickled Mushrooms
Exclusive recipes, shared only with Pittsburgh Magazine, from some of Pittsburgh's Best Restaurants and chefs. This creative starter comes from the kitchen of Cure, helmed by its award-winning chef Justin Severino.
photo by Chuck Beard
Prepare elements for this recipe in the following order:
- Pickled Mushrooms
- Celery Sand
- Black Garlic Aïoli
- Celery Espuma
- Final Assembly of the Tartare Plate
Pickled Mushrooms
½ pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed
½ cup sherry vinegar
¼ cup sugar
2 sprigs thyme, whole
1 bay leaf
¼ cup water
5 whole black peppercorns
1 bunch tarragon
Salt and pepper, to taste
20 minutes active prep time; should be done at least 2 hours prior to assembly.
Place destemmed mushrooms in medium mixing bowl.
Combine all other ingredients in a saucepot, bring to a simmer and remove from heat. Salt and pepper to taste. Pour hot liquid over mushrooms, wrap tightly with plastic and set in a warm place for 1 hour. After 1 hour, place in refrigerator to chill.
Remove mushrooms from cold liquid and mince in food processor. Set aside and refrigerate for final assembly.
Celery Sand
1 russet potato, peeled and roughly chopped
1 celery root, peeled and roughly chopped
4 cups vegetable oil
Water
Salt, to taste
Add potato and celery root to food processor, cover with just enough water and process until fine. Pour mixture through fine mesh strainer and discard liquid. Place strained mixture in a medium pot and cover with vegetable oil. Whisk over medium heat (approximately 250 degrees) until golden brown and crispy.
Strain from oil and spread over paper towels to remove excess oil. Season with salt to taste. Set aside at room temperature for final
assembly.
Black-Garlic Aïoli
¼ cup black garlic, peeled
¼ cup aged balsamic vinegar
1 egg yolk
½ cup vegetable oil
Place black garlic, balsamic and egg yolk into food processor to combine. While processor is running, slowly add vegetable oil to emulsify.
Place in refrigerator to reserve for final assembly.
Celery Espuma*
¾ cup raw celery juice
1 egg white
You will need an iSi can and 2 chargers for espuma; iSi is a brand of siphon, and you insert the chargers to pressurize the whipper and produce the whipped foam.
Place egg white and celery juice into iSi can, charge twice and place in refrigerator for final assembly. *Sliced, raw celery may be used instead of celery espuma.
Peel 4 stalks of celery with vegetable peeler. Cut peeled celery into long, thin strips (lengthwise). Place cut celery in a small mixing bowl of ice water for 10 minutes to make crispy. Cut strips on the bias, slice thinly and reserve for final assembly. Use raw celery in step 4 of assembly, placing liberal amounts on each dish.
Tartare Plate
8-ounce hanger steak, cut into a small dice
1 bunch chives, finely minced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Pickled mushrooms
Celery sand
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Black-garlic aïoli
Celery espuma
Sea salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Combine diced beef, chives, olive oil and mushrooms; season with sea salt and pepper. Place small, tight piles of beef mix evenly on chilled plates. You can use a ring mold for ease. Decorate plates with celery sand and Parmesan cheese. Express yourself — place 4-6 dollops of aïoli and 4-6 dollops of espuma on each dish. Eat and enjoy.
Serves 4-6. (Chill plates ahead of time.)
CURE
5336 Butler St., Lawrenceville; 412/252-2595, curepittsburgh.com. Read more in Best Restaurants 2016.
