Entree Category

Grilled Monchong with Tomatillo Essence

Ryan L. Vargas, Chef, Banyan Tree Restaurant,
Ritz Carlton-Kapalua Maui

6 Hawaiian monchong fillets (3 oz. each)
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
2 ounces leeks, white part only, julienned
1/2 cup flour
4 ounces canola oil (Wesson)
6 ounces Tomatillo Essence
2 1/4 cups Tomato Onion Eggplant Shiitake Mixture
15 red currant tomatoes

Marinate the monchong fillets in oil, garlic, lime juice, cayenne pepper, salt and white pepper for 20 minutes. Dust leeks with flour and fry in oil until lightly brown. Ladle 2 ounces of Tomatillo Essence on each of three plates. Top with 3/4 cup of Tomato Onion Eggplant Shiitake Mixture. Top with grilled monchong fillet. Garnish with fried leeks and red currant tomatoes. Makes 3 servings.

Tomato Onion Eggplant Shiitake Mixture

3 cups julienned onions
2 cups julienned tomatoes
3 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 slices Japanese eggplant,1/4-inch,cut on diagonal
2 tablespoons canola oil (Wesson)
8 medium shiitake mushroom caps

Sweat onions, tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of the garlic and cumin on medium heat for 20 minutes. Do not brown. Season with salt. Lightly coat eggplant slices with oil and 1 tablespoon of the garlic; grill until soft. Lightly coat shiitake mushrooms with oil and the remaining 1 tablespoon of the garlic; grill. Cool, then quarter shiitake mushrooms. Combine all ingredients.

Tomatillo Essence

5 medium tomatillo, husked
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups water
1 cup cilantro leaves
2 teaspoons minced jalapeno pepper
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil (Wesson)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper

In a saucepan combine tomatillos, garlic, onion and water; simmer for 15 minutes. Place mixture in a blender and add the cilantro leaves and jalapeno pepper; puree until smooth, then cool. Place mixture in a bowl and add the remaining ingredients; mix well.