A Step-by-Step How To: Sweetbreads - Part 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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See the pictorial "Sweetbreads - Part 1" for the steps leading up to this pictorial. | Remove the bands that are holding the two pans together and the top pan. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Place the sweetbreads onto a clean cutting surface. Use a finger to strip away as much of the white membrane from the outside of the sweetbread. | A knife can be used to carefully trim away any stubborn strips. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Press a flat hand gently on top of the sweetbread. Starting in the center, butterfly the sweetbread into two halves. | The sweetbread should be still very raw in the center. Poaching should only have lasted long enough to harden the outer membrane. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dredge the halves in Semolina or finely ground cornmeal. Shake off any excess. | Heat a heavy-bottomed saute pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add a small amount of oil. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Add a few pats of butter to the oil. Adding butter after oil will prevent the butter from burning. | Carefully lay the sweetbreads into the hot oil. Laying them into the oil away from you will prevent the hot oil from splashing back onto your hands or body. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Turn the pan heat down to medium. Season the sweetbreads liberally with salt and pepper. | When the edges of the sweetbreads begin to turn golden, turn them to the other side. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cook the sweetbreads on the other side until golden. They should be firm when poked in the center. | Remove the sweetbreads to a dish. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Turn the pan heat back up to medium-high. Deglaze the pan with a small amount of malt or sherry vinegar. | When the vinegar has reduced by half, add the stock. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Reduce the stock by half. It should be slightly thick. Add cooked mushrooms to the stock. | Once the mushrooms are coated in the reduced stock, swirl a few tabs of butter in. This is a technique called "monte au beurre" or mounted with butter. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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When the butter and stock are emulsified together, season the sauce to taste. | Plate the sweetbreads with the sauce, garnish and serve. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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