Ras El Hanout Parsnip Foam with Shrimp

Here's another great great recipe that is not difficult, but cannot be done without the right equipment. In this case, the right equipment consists of a culinary siphon. A culinary siphon allows you to create foams out of different liquids by adding nitrogen that will expand it and keep it stable with the help of either fat, egg, or gelatin. I use the ISI Gourmet Whip (500ml) which is great because it can be used with either hot or cold applications. It can be found at La Guilde Culinaire, which is located at 6381, boulevard Saint-Laurent in Montreal.

This is about texture and flavour. It's experiencing something that tastes as light as air but is packed with flavour. It's always a surprise at how wonderful the texture feels in my mouth when I use the siphon. To make four portions you'll need:

• 250 gr of peeled parsnips, chopped
• 25 gr of butter
• 125 mL of milk
• 125 mL of 35% whipping cream
• 2 tsp of ras el hanout spice (a blend of Moroccan spice, you can also use Cajun)
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 4 giant shrimps, butterflied 
• chives, chopped for garnish

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the parsnips and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the milk and cream with 1 tablespoon of the ras el hanout and salt and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes, until the parsnip is tender. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Blend to a purée with the help of a food processor or a blender. Pass the puréed liquid through a sifter to remove any possible chucks. This is to ensure that you will not clog up the siphon. 

Marinate the shrimp in the olive oil with1 tablespoon of ras el hanout and salt and pepper for about 10 minutes. Sauté shrimps until just done.

Now you are ready to make the foam. Fill your siphon with the parsnip purée and screw on the top. Add 2 nitrogen or cream capsules to the siphon, making sure to give it a good shake between each capsule. Turn the siphon upside down and dispense into 4 individual cups. Add a shrimp on top of each cup along with some chive to garnish.

Trust me, if you can get your hands on one of these siphons, it's totally worth it!