Pino Maffeo
RESTAURANT L | Boston
Growing up in East Boston, Pino Maffeo’s family pride in
cooking and cuisine naturally led him to pursue a career as a chef.
A graduate of Newbury Culinary College, Pino worked at several restaurants
around the country learning the art of world cuisine from top European
chefs. “I made it a point not to work for people who were
famous. I wanted to work for people who were incredible.”
After a phone call from his childhood friend, Tony Susi, Maffeo
moved back to Boston to join him as Co-Executive Chef in his new
venture, Sage. With the success of Sage, Maffeo
helped change the dining mentality of Boston’s North End,
bringing a new standard of cooking to the neighborhood. In 1999,
Maffeo joined long-time friend and colleague Patricia Yeo at her
critically acclaimed Asian-inspired eatery AZ in New York
and then, at her second restaurant venture, Pazo. Maffeo
was then tapped to revamp Café Louis at the chic
Louis Boston shop on Newbury Street. In January 2004, Restaurant
L was born. Here, Maffeo features clean, simple and inventive
cuisine with influences from Southeast Asia and Japan.
Barbequed Eel and Hudson Valley Foie Gras
Terrine
Chef Pino Maffeo of Restaurant L – Boston, MA
Adapted by StarChefs.com
Yield: 20 Servings
Ingredients:
Foie Gras Terrine:
- 2 pounds Hudson Valley foie gras, brought to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon fine sugar
- 5 Tablespoons plum wine
- 1/8 teaspoon pink salt
- 1 gallon duck fat
- Cheesecloth
- 2-inch by 2½-inch by 20-inch terrine mold
Barbecued Eel and Sauce:
- ½ cup plum wine
- ½ cup sake
- 250 grams white sugar, plus 125 grams
- 4 quarts spring water
- 4 pounds freshwater eel fillets
- ¾ cup soy sauce
Garnish:
- ½ teaspoon Saba (reduced grape must) per serving
Method:
For Foie Gras Terrine:
Separate the two lobes of the foie gras and remove all veins, trying
to keep the foie intact. Lay foie on a sheet pan that has been seasoned
with salt, sugar and plum wine. Add more salt, sugar and plum wine
to the top portion of the foie. Dust the entire lobe with pink salt
(curing salt). Wrap with plastic film and place in walk-in for 24
hours.
Place cheesecloth inside terrine mold, making sure to have 2 feet
of extra cheesecloth at both ends. Start placing foie inside terrine
mold, pressing product down firmly. Continue adding foie and pressing
down with your hand so no air pockets are visible. Wrap the remanding
cheesecloth around the terrine and tie with butcher string as if
you were tying a roast.
Bring duck fat to 180°F in a large pan big enough to accommodate
the terrine mold.
Place terrine inside duck fat and cook for 70 seconds per side of
the terrine mold. Take terrine out of the duck fat and place in
refrigeration. After 1 hour, place a heavy weight, e.g., juice cans
or a brick, to weigh it down.
For Barbecued Eel and Sauce:
Place plum wine, sake, sugar and spring water in a pot. Bring to
a boil and add eel fillets. Turn heat down to low. Cook for 30 minutes
without boiling. Remove eel from liquid and let cool. Place an additional
125 grams of white sugar and ¾ cup soy sauce to the pot.
Reduce mixture until a thick glaze forms.
To Assemble and Serve:
Slice a 2 –ounce cube of foie gras and place on a plate. Cut
eel to the same size and brush sauce over eel. Caramelize eel under
the salamander. Once caramelized, place eel on top of foie. Spoon
½ teaspoon of Saba around plate.
Wine Pairing:
Elio Perrone Bigaro Rosato 2005
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