91Èȱ¬

Method

1. For the purée, preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4.

2. Lay two large sheets of foil on top of each other on a work surface. Put the shallots in the centre of the foil, pour over the oil, add the thyme and season well. Draw the sides of the foil up to the centre and crinkle the edges to seal and form a parcel. Put on a baking tray and bake for 1½ hours, or until the shallots are really soft.

3. Remove the skins from the shallots and put the flesh in a blender with the butter and cream. Blitz well, then transfer to a bowl and season.

4. For the mushroom duxelles, heat a medium sauté pan and add the oil and butter, one hot add the shallots and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook for a further 8-10 minutes or until all the water has gone out of the mushrooms. Set aside.

5. For the guinea fowl, put the mince, duxelles, mustard, chives, parsley and tarragon in a large bowl and mix. Roll the mixture into six balls.

6. Blanch the cabbage in lightly salted water for 3–4 minutes, then plunge into iced water. Drain on kitchen paper.

7. Lay a sheet of cling film out and place a cabbage leaf on it. Put a guinea fowl ball in the centre and wrap the leaf around. Bring the cling film up around the leaf and tie like a balloon. Repeat with the remaining leaves and guinea fowl balls.

8. Bring a pan of water to 90C. Poach the balls for 15 minutes. Remove and set aside.

9. Heat a medium frying pan and add half the butter. Once hot and melted, add the mushrooms and cook for 2–3 minutes.

10. Heat the remaining butter in a separate pan, add the spirlised potato and cook until crispy.

11. Serve the guinea fowl with the shallot puree, sautéed girolles, crispy potatoes and gravy.