Jérôme Galis asparagus, wild garlic, confit egg yolk, morels

Step 1

Take the asparagus and remove the spurs. Wash the spears in cold water and place on a towel to dry. Trim the spears to 12cm length, set the spears aside for later. Reserve the trim for the purée.

Step 2

Take the trim and finely slice until you reach the tough woody base. Heat a heavy based pan on medium to high heat. Sauté the sliced trim in a little olive oil and salt for 10 seconds with the lid on. Add a dash of chicken stock to create steam and cook until tender. Once cooked add a small handful of baby spinach and lightly sweat. Transfer to a blender and blend quickly on high for 1 minute until a smooth purée is achieved. Adjust seasoning, pass through a fine sieve and cool quickly over an ice bath.

Step 3

Place all ingredients into a thermomix and blend on full power for 1 min. Reduce the speed to 6 and apply the temperature setting to 75°C. This temperature will set the chlorophyl and keep the oil a vibrant green colour. Once the temperature is reached, transfer the oil into a bowl and set over an ice bath. Stir to speed up cooling. Once cool, strain through fine sieve and muslin cloth. Store oil in an airtight container in the fridge.

Step 4

Preheat a water bath to 68°C. Place the yolks into a vacuum pouch and seal. Place into water bath for 25-30 minutes till a thick consistency is achieved. Once cooked, remove the yolks from the pouch and place into a mixing bowl. Season yolks with salt and smoked water (using smoked water allows for greater control). Set aside in a squeeze bottle.

Step 5

Sweat off the mushrooms, shallots and garlic until tender. Season and allow to cool to room temperature. Once cool, combine all ingredients together and season. Wrap in cling film and store in the fridge.

Step 6

Take a small heavy-based pan and gently warm. Add the olive oil, butter and morels to the pan, lightly season. Cook with a lid for 10 seconds and then deglaze the pan with half the vin juane and the stock. Bring to the boil and gently braise for 6-8 minutes until tender. By this time they should have created a lovely glaze, adjust seasoning and add a splash of wine to refresh. Keep warm.

Step 7

Slice the pain de mie on a slicer 4mm thick. Using a small round cutter cut out discs from the bread slices. Heat the clarified butter, thyme and garlic until aromatic. Brush the bread discs with the butter and season. Place on greaseproof paper and cover with another sheet. Place between two heavy baking sheets and bake till golden brown at 180°C.

Step 8

To finish:

Step 9

Preheat a large heavy based lidded sauté pan. On a high heat, add a little olive oil, the prepped asparagus spears and a pinch salt and seal the asparagus to lock in the flavour and colour. Add a little chicken stock and cook with the lid on using the combustion technique. If stock evaporates add a little more until the asparagus is tender - around 8-10 minutes. Remove the spears from the pan and place on a towel to drain. While the asparagus are cooking, gently reheat the purée and lightly blanch the asparagus ribbons for 2 seconds, set aside and glaze with garlic oil and salt.

Step 10

To make the sauce, add a little butter and wild garlic oil to the pan juices and create an emulsion. Adjust seasoning and add a little vin juane to bring some acidity to the sauce.

Step 11

To arrange the dish, make two swipes of puree on the plate place the asparagus on the diagonal together all slightly offset from one another. Dot the egg yolks around the plate and arrange the shavings, croutons, garlic capers, leaves and flowers. Serve the sauce on the side.