Best Hors d oeuvre East Meets West Green Onion Cake

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1 Synopsis: Best Hors d oeuvre East Meets West Green Onion Cake The Green Onion Cake Topped with In-House Smoked Salmon is an East-Meets-West inspired hors d oeuvre that was created with the objective of introducing a new item to our menu that would diversify the market for our existing in-house smoked meats and fish. The challenge was to design a base layer that would not only be out-of-the-ordinary, but that would also fit the shapes of our new spoon wall display and meet our quality standards. The result was a Chinese-Hawaiian-Canadian fusion of flavours presented in a stylish display. Describe the concept behind creating the hors d oeuvre including any objectives: Having started smoking our own meats and fish, and recently purchased a spoon wall as a presentation piece, we were sourcing out new ideas for a unique hors d oeuvre that would not only diversify the market for our smoked items, but that would also form to the shape of the spoons from the display. We wanted an hors d oeuvre that was out of the box and looked for an innovative base to replace the traditional crostinis and blinis. Our Executive Chef having recently returned from a trip to Maui where he had dined on local green onion cakes and thought of ways to use it as an hors d oeuvre. Thus creating a fusion between Hawaiian and Chinese cuisine and our Canadian applewood smoked salmon. The result was a delicious combination of cultures and flavours that allowed us achieve our goals of diversifying the market for our smoked meats and fish and present an item that would fit to our spoon wall feature piece. In addition, we were able to create a variation of the onion cakes that would make them suitable as a gluten-free item, accommodating the growing demand of food for clients with dietary restrictions. Describe originality of the presentation: With a more discerning urban market, there was a need for new creative hors d oeuvres. In response to this and following the trend of small plate presentation, we created this unique item that would temp the palate with its sight and taste. The unique texture of the onion cake is complemented by the delicate texture of the salmon, making it appealing to the eye and pleasing to the palate.

2 In addition, the spoon wall where the hors d oeuvre is displayed adds that wow effect that draws the attention of the guests. Detail the production of the hors d oeuvre at the event: 1. Prepare green onion cake batter. 2. Pan sear the onion cakes on-site. 3. Cut onion cakes into triangles or desired shape and size. 4. Place a slice of ½ oz in-house applewood smoked salmon on a droplet of aioli. 5. Garnish with a quenelle of lemon chevre aioli and a scallion straw. 6. Assemble spoon wall display. 7. Place finished product on spoon wall. Describe any challenges or obstacles and how they were overcome: We had outsourced an onion cake that we tried using, however it didn t meet our quality standards and the finished product was too oily, leading us to develop our own recipe. In order to make the green onion cakes healthier we modified the recipe a few times until we got the results we wanted. Recipe (50 servings) Ingredients for onion cake batter: 1 ½ cup of flour 1 ½ cup of potato flakes 3 eggs 1 tsp of baking soda ½ cup of cold water ¾ cup of chopped green onions Ingredients for lemon chevre aioli: ¼ cup of mayonnaise 60gr of chevre Juice of 1 lemon Preparation: In a bowl mix flour, potato flakes and baking soda. Mix by hand and add the eggs, water and green onions. On the side mix the mayonnaise, chevre and lemon to prepare the aioli. Heat a frying pan with 1 tbsp of peanut oil and pour or scoop the batter on to the pan. Cook on both sides. Cut the onion cakes into triangles or desired shape and size, then pace a slice of ½ oz inhouse applewood smoked salmon on a droplet of aioli. Garnish with a quenelle of lemon chevre aioli and a scallion straw.

3 Photos: Preparation and shaping of green onion cakes

4 Onion Cakes are topped with In-House Smoked Salmon and a Droplet of Chevre Aioli

5 The scallion straw adds the finishing touches to the hors d oeuvre

6 East Meets West Green Onion Cakes Topped with In-House Smoked Salmon and Chevre Lemon Aioli

7 East Meets West Green Onion Cakes Topped with In-House Smoked Salmon and Chevre Lemon Aioli