Autumn is here at last! Ever year, we wait for this season with bated breath. The fall harvest tends to produce some of the most interesting ingredients to incorporate into our breakfasts. And today, we’re shining the spotlight on apples – those bright, juicy, tart stone fruits we all love. Of course, Rick had no ordinary plans for these classic fall fruits in the Jackson House kitchen. We called for a modern twist on a classic autumnal treat, and Rick came up with a beautifully indulgent dish that we can’t wait to share with you.
Our Compressed Apple Terrine features a pure apple taste – something rather rare in a world of sugary crisps and apple pies. Rick’s minimalist approach to this terrine allows us to appreciate the beauty of 100% apple taste, transformed from its original crispness to soft slices baked to perfection. To accompany our local apples, we serve our terrine with bourbon salted caramel, two ways. While most folks are used to tasting traditional caramel sauce, we had some fun experimenting with this ingredient in the kitchen. What began as a half-thought out idea, resulted in something that far exceeded our expectations – foamed caramel. The two variations are surprisingly distinct from one another. The sauce, for instance, has a sweetness that hits you immediately, while the foam’s sweetness comes at you toward the backend. This foam also creates a really unique mouthfeel. In fact, in tasting the variations side-by-side, our guests have favored the foam over the traditional sauce. I mean, who doesn’t like a rich foam – thick and beautiful like a cappuccino espresso. It’s cool, luxurious, airy, and … intriguing.
Do we have your taste buds craving terrine yet? Give it a shot! We’ve given you a detailed description of our process below. Pick a few apples and create something unique and sweet!
Compressed Apple Terrine
Servings: 10
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
Print recipe here.
Terrine:
16-18 medium size apples – peeled, cored, and sliced 1/16 inch with mandolin
Use a tart variety with low sugar and low juice profile
We suggest Cox Pippin, Braeburn, or Northern Sky apples
Bourbon Salted Caramel Sauce:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
1 tablespoon butter
Almond Bark:
Heaping 1/4 cup (50 grams) whole almonds
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup (55 grams) confectioner’s sugar
6 tablespoons (86.5 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
6 tablespoons (75 grams) granulated sugar
1 1/2 eggs, room temperature, slightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Assemble Terrine
Preheat oven to 350F. Line bottom and sides of a terrine mold or loaf pan (9 x 9 x 18cm / 3.5 x 3.5 x 7in) with parchment paper. Make sure to allow a 4 inch overlap of paper (used to cover final apple layer). Cover bottom with an overlapping layer (1/2 inch) of sliced apples as neat and tight as you can (this will be the top of the terrine when turned out). Repeat with all the apple slices up to the top of the terrine (probably 6 to 8 layers of apples in total). You will need to cut a fair number of the slices in half and place them toward the edges of the pan (or else you will end up with a high middle and low sides). Wrap the terrine in a double layer of foil to prevent evaporation of any liquid. Bake for approximately 2 1/4 hours. Remove terrine from oven and discard foil. Place back in the oven for 2 1/4 additional hours until lightly colored and compressed. Remove from oven and leave to cool in pan on a baking rack for approximately 3-4 hours. Refrigerate.
Cook Caramel Sauce
Spread sugar in a heavy bottomed pan, preferably a large skillet or wide saucepan, over medium-high heat. Gently swirl the pan to evenly distribute sugar. Watch carefully. Do not disturb the pan until the sugar begins to caramelize. Swirl pan continually over heat to distribute remaining sugar and prevent burning. A rich amber color should result. In the meantime, place another small saucepan over high heat. Bring cream and sea salt to a simmer. Remove from heat just before boiling point. Add heavy cream/salt mixture all at once to the caramelized sugar. Be very careful, as the mixture is hot and will bubble vigorously. Gradually whisk until combined. Add the remaining ingredients and continue to whisk until incorporated (3-5 minutes). Strain through a fine sieve and reserve. Caramel sauce may be cooled and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Prepare Caramel Foam
Add half of the caramel mixture to a whipping siphon. Charge the siphon with 2 N2O cartridge and shake lightly for approximately 1 minute. Test foam for consistency. The more you distribute and shake, the larger the bubbles in the foam.
Make Almond Bark
Combine almonds and confectioner’s sugar in food processor. Pulse almonds and sugar to medium-fine powder, but not too long as to make a paste. Use whisk or beater to cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add almond meal mixture to creamed butter to combine. Add eggs and almond extract to the creamed butter and mix until light and fluffy (5-8 minutes). Transfer almond cream to a lidded airtight container and chill for at least 1 hour (it will keep for about a week in the refrigerator). To bake off, preheat oven to 375F. Spread cream with an offset spatula on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Spread out to a 1/4 inch thickness. Allow for at least 2 inches on all sides of the sheet, as the cream will spread when baked. Sprinkle 1/2 cup sliced almonds on top of cream. Bake for 10-14 minutes, until edges are darkened (almost burnt). Cool on wire rack for 30 minutes until firm. Hand break into small bits and pieces. Reserve covered.
Plate
Gently flip and de-mold the terrine onto a cutting board. Trim the edges of the terrine to clean and define portions. If necessary, slightly warm caramel sauce over low heat. Spoon 1 tablespoon of sauce over each plate. Place slice of terrine on sauce. Garnish with a drizzle of sauce and almond bark. Dispense about a tablespoon of caramel foam next to terrine.
