Potato and Wild Mushroom Napoleons (New Year's Eve 2003)

from Emeril Lagasse

Dad & I had this for a first course, New Years Eve 2003

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 ounces assorted wild mushrooms, such as chanterelle, wood ear, shiitake, morel, cleaned, stems removed, and thinly sliced
1/2 cup sliced shallots
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons fresh chopped thyme
2 teaspoons white truffle oil
Potato Crisps, recipe follows
1/2 cup finely grated aged Asiago (about 2 ounces)
12 slices fresh black or white truffle, optional garnish
Fresh arugula tossed with extra-virgin olive oil, as garnish

In a large, heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, shallots, salt and pepper, and saute until soft and most of the mushroom liquid has evaporated, about 8 minutes. Add the chicken stock, cream and thyme, and simmer until the liquid has reduced by 50 percent in volume, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the truffle oil. Place 2 potato crisps on each of 4 serving plates. Spoon 1 generous tablespoon of mushroom filling on top, topped with 1 teaspoon of grated Asiago. Continue layering the napoleon so that you have 3 layers of potatoes and 3 layers of mushrooms in all, ending with mushrooms on top. Garnish the top of each napoleon with 3 slices of truffle, and sprinkle of Asiago. Arrange the arugula around the outer edge of the plate and serve.

Potato Crisps:
1/3 cup olive oil
2 large baking potatoes, like russets (about 1 pounds), peeled and sliced on a mandolin into 1/8-inch slices
1 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Brush 2 large baking sheets well with oil. Arrange the potato slices in 1 layer on the sheets. Brush with the remaining oil, and bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes, switching the sheets halfway through baking.

Transfer with a spatula to cooling racks. Sprinkle with the Essence and salt, and set aside.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup