Sunday, June 24, 2007

Monder

This week we had major discussions about monder. According to Alicia (Toño's fabulously charming boss), you can't say that your are blanching and peeling a tomato. It's called monder a tomato.

Obviously, monder is French, the Lingua Franca of cooking. And being a graduate of the famous École Hôtelière de Lausanne, Alicia has to know this.

So how does one monder? It's quite easy. You even may do this at home. Just keep your kiddos away from the boiling water and the sharp knife.

Step 1: Get rid off the stalk of the tomato.



Step 2: Cut a small cross with the point of a knife



Step 3: Plunge the tomato in ebullient water and leave it there for about 30 seconds (which is the time it takes until you can observe that the skin is detaching from the flesh).



Step 4
: Put the tomato in ice water.



Step 5
: Now peeling is easy like taking candy from a baby.



Why all this effort? Well, I just wanted to make some Roulade Estiva.

7 comments:

Ms Mac said...

Thank you for that delightful modering lesson. Now please tell us how to make that fabulous roulade.

Toño said...

The "Roulade Estiva" ist simply delicious. And since it has to be served cold, one can prepare it in advance of a great invition with friends, so one can serve it as a first course. Complimenst for it gomad, it was exquisite...

Mr. Urs said...

It's quite easy Ms.Mac, however, it takes its time: Make some omelets and let them cool a bit. Use a small boiled potato and half a tomato per omelet. Peel the potatoes and ground them roughly. Monder the tomatoes, core them and and cut them to small pieces. Put some Crème Fraîche on the omelets, add the potatoes and tomatoes and season generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle some cooked ham on top and roll the tomatoes tightly. Wrap it into kitchen foil and put it into the fridge for at least an hour.
For the topping use some canola and mix it with finely cut basil and garlic.

Anonymous said...

THANKS gomad, I was also wondering about the recipe,always one to try out new things:-) Though I will have to ask my daughter about that 'mondering' business, she is currently training as a chef:) cause i never know it was called like that either:)

Michael Lehet said...

I swear my invitations to dinner must be getting lost in the mail. I will most definitely have a discussion with my Postal Mistress - that is if she can take of her headphones long enough.

btw - are those your home grown tomatos? They look quite delish.

Mr. Urs said...

Michael, these are Cuore di Bue (bull's hearts). My brother has some of those, but they are not yet ripe. So I had to buy them in the grocery store.

Unknown said...

yummy! I love those tomatoes but sadly we don't really find them here. What a great meal!