Ingredients

  • 3 slices of white bread, crusts discarded and the bread torn into pieces
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 large egg white
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
  • 1 1/4 pounds white mushrooms, chopped fine (preferably in a food processor)
  • 4 tablespoons Cognac or other brandy
  • 3/4 pound ground lean veal
  • 1/2 cup minced shallots
  • 3/4 pound wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, shiitake, or porcini, or an assortment (available at specialty produce markets and some supermarkets), chopped
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine
  • 4 large yellow bell peppers, roasted (procedure follows)
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • diced orange bell peppers for garnish
  • minced fresh chives for garnish

Method

  • In a small bowl combine the bread, 1/4 cup of the cream, and the egg white.
  • In a large skillet cook the garlic and the onion in 2 tablespoons of the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until the onion is softened, add the white mushrooms, and cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are softened and begin to give off their liquid.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of the Cognac and cook the mixture, stirring, until all the liquid has evaporated.
  • Let the mixture cool, transfer it to a food processor, and puree it with the bread mixture.
  • Add the veal, the remaining 1/4 cup cream, and salt and pepper to taste and blend the mixture, scraping down the sides, until it is smooth.
  • Transfer the veal mixture to a bowl and keep it covered and chilled while cooking with wild mushrooms.
  • In the skillet, cleaned, cook the shallots with salt and pepper to taste in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until they are softened, add the wild mushrooms, and cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring, for 2 minutes.
  • Add the broth, the wine, and the remaining 2 tablespoons Cognac and boil the mixture, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until all the liquid has evaporated.
  • let the mixture cool, stir in into the veal mixture, and spoon the mixture into a well-buttered 1-quart terrine, smoothing the top.
  • Cover the terrine with a buttered sheet of foil and the lid, put the terrine in a baking pan, and add enough hot water to the pan to reach halfway up the sides of the terrine.
  • Bake the terrine in the middle of a preheated 350F.
  • oven for 1 hour to 15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 165F.
  • Let the terrine cool and pour off any excess liquid.
  • Invert the terrine onto a plate and chill it, covered, overnight.
  • In a blender blend together the roasted peppers, the oil, the vinegars, and salt and black pepper to taste until the mixture is smooth.
  • Cut the terrine into 1/2-inch-thick slices and pour about 1/4 cup of the coulis onto each of 8 serving plates.
  • Put a slice of terrine over the coulis and sprinkle each serving with some of the diced bell peppers and the chives.
  • Using a long-handled fork char peppers over an open flame, turning them, until skins are blackened, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • (Alternatively, broil peppers on rack of a broiler pan under a preheated broiler about 2 inches from heat, turning them every 5 minutes, until skins are blistered and charred, 15 to 25 minutes.)
  • Transfer peppers to a bowl and let stand, covered, until cool enough to handle.
  • Keeping peppers whole, peel them, starting at blossom end.
  • Cut off tops and discard seeds and ribs.
  • (Wear rubber gloves when handling chilies.)