FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Dubai, The Ivy, Chef Ben Tobitt

Aug 1, 2013
2013 / August 2013

Chef Ben Tobitt drew his earliest inspirations from his London childhood, savoring visits to Borough Street Market. He lived in public houses and restaurants, his father, a passionate chef and home cook. With the help of his father, he fostered his acute sense of fresh ingredients and local produce, still evident in his cuisine today.

After graduating from Islington & Camden Catering College in London, Tobitt launched his career at Hilton London, followed by stints at London’s The Thomas Cubitt and Wabi Restaurant. In 2003, he joined Caprice Holdings, working at Le Caprice, The Ivy London and Soho House.

His two passions, food and travel, converged in 2004, when he worked on board an American cruise liner. In April 2009, his keen travel sense led him to the Middle East as senior chef de partie for Mirai in Souk Al Bahar, Dubai. In 2010, he returned to Caprice Holdings, eventually finding his home in the kitchen of The Ivy at Jumeirah Emirates Tower — the perfect marriage of his loves for food and travel.

Duck hash with double-yolk fried egg

Serves 4

1 pound duck legs
Salt, to taste
½ cup onion
2∕5 cup carrots
¼ cup celery sticks
⅓ cup leeks
3¼ tablespoons vegetable oil
8½ cups chicken stock, good quality
½ cup onion, sliced into thin half moons (for the Lyonnaise)
1∕5 cup unsalted butter
2¼ cups good-quality mashing potatoes, mashed with no cream or butter
⅛ cup Pommery mustard
⅛ cup bread crumbs
Pinch chives, finely chopped
Pinch parsley, finely chopped
Pinch tarragon, finely chopped
1∕5 cup spring onion, finely chopped
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
8 eggs

Well in advance, at least 2 hours before cooking, put the duck legs together in a container and season with lots of salt (about 1 teaspoon). Leave to one side for the legs to soak in the salt (this adds to the flavor of the duck legs).

Roughly chop the carrots, celery and leeks into ¾-inch square pieces. Roughly chop the ½ cup onion. Heat half the vegetable oil on a low setting in a saucepan. Add the chopped vegetables and lightly cook, with no color, adding a pinch of salt to release the flavors. After 5 minutes, add the chicken stock.

Under cold water, lightly rinse the duck legs that have been soaking in the salt and add to the stock. Bring the stock to a boil and then immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting. The braising of the legs should take between 1 1/2 and 2 hours, until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.

While the duck is braising, begin the Lyonnaise onion process. Cook the half-moon-sliced onion and half the butter slowly in a pan until the onion has turned light golden brown (do not caramelize). Set to one side.

To the mashed potato add the Pommery mustard, bread crumbs, herbs, spring onion and Lyonnaise onions. Mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set to one side.

Once duck is cooked and cooled down, remove the meat from the bones in medium-sized pieces and add to the potato mix. If you find the mix is too wet, add more bread crumbs.

Shape the mixture into roughly 4-inch-diameter patties, each about an inch thick, and place in the fridge to set.

In a large frying pan, heat the remaining vegetable oil; remove patties from the fridge and place into the hot pan for roughly 2 minutes on each side, or until nicely colored all over. Toward the end of cooking, add the remainder of the butter to give a nice golden color.

Place on a baking tray and warm in the oven for roughly 3 minutes at 350 degrees. While this process is happening, start the eggs. Separate the yolks from four of the eggs and set aside. Crack the remaining whole eggs into separate bowls and add to each one of the yolks from the previously separated eggs, so you end up with one whole egg with a double yolk in each bowl. Pan-fry each egg to desired preference. Remove patties from the oven.

PRESENTATION: Place patties in the center of 4 warmed plates, add eggs on top. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Apple Tart © The Ivy

Apple Tart © The Ivy

Apple tart

Serves 4

For the almond cream filling:
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup caster sugar
2 large eggs
Juice of half a lemon
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup plus 5 teaspoons ground almonds

Cream the butter and sugar together thoroughly in a mixer. Slowly add the eggs, lemon juice, flour and almonds. Mix continuously until all lumps are gone and the mix is light and fluffy. Store in refrigerator.

For the pastry base:
¾ cup unsalted butter
¾ cup caster sugar
2 large eggs
1⅞ cups flour

Mix the butter and sugar thoroughly in a large mixer on low speed. Then add the eggs slowly until thoroughly mixed. Add the flour slowly and keep mixing into a smooth paste (do not over-mix). Place in a bowl in the refrigerator for 1 hour to harden.

Once the pastry has chilled, heat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll out the chilled pastry on a floured surface until the pastry is flat and about ½ inch thick. With a round pastry cutter, cut 4 circles from the pastry. Place each disk into a pie pan (4 small ones or 1 large). The sides have to come up higher than the base and fit the pan. Place in the oven for 12–15 minutes.

For the apples:
4 apples, sliced into thin, long pieces
⅛ cup unsalted butter, melted
Pinch cinnamon powder
⅛ cup caster sugar

Spoon some almond cream filling into each baked pastry case. Arrange the slices of apple on top of the almond cream, totally covering the top. This apple acts as a lid on the pie. Brush melted butter over the whole surface of the apples, covering thoroughly and generously. Mix the cinnamon powder and caster sugar together and sprinkle over the top of each pie. Place back in the oven for 12–15 minutes and remove when the top is golden brown.

PRESENTATION: Serve on large white plates with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of each pie.

The Ivy

Jumeirah Emirates Tower
The Boulevard, Ground Level
P.O. Box 72127
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
tel 971 4 319 8767
theivy.ae

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Oct 2, 2023

Tricks and Treats Await in the Enchanted Forests and Gardens of America’s Botanical Gardens

Pleasant weather, autumn foliage and vibrant flowers are among the many delights awaiting nature lovers at botanical gardens and arboretums across the United States. However, some of these green spaces take on additional color this month and through Halloween when enterprising gardeners, landscape architects, management and other creative minds cast a spell with themed environments running the gamut from spooky to utterly bewitching.

The Ultimate Itinerary in The Islands of Tahiti

The Islands of Tahiti are among the most beautiful and sought-after vacation destinations in the world. The endless images of overwater bungalows with Bora Bora’s majestic peak towering over waters of every shade of blue have an intrinsic pull. But with 118 islands and atolls to explore, there is so much more to this spectacular region of the Pacific.

Daily
Oct 2, 2023

5 Reasons Crystal Springs Resort Serves as the Perfect Backdrop for Fall Bucket List Escapes

For travelers who love all things autumn, Crystal Springs Resort, New York City’s closest destination resort, features special offers and experiences to meet the demands of everyone’s fall bucket list. Located only 80 minutes outside New York City in Sussex County, New Jersey, Crystal Springs Resort offers a quick getaway to enjoy fall foliage. Are any of these new offers or experiences on your bucket list?

Daily
Oct 2, 2023

7 Historic Cemeteries in Europe to See on Your Travels

It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey with us through these historic (and famous) cemeteries in Europe.

Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win

Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!

Daily
Oct 2, 2023

At the Entrance of a French Fishing Village Lies the Perfect Hideaway

At the entrance to the fishing village of Les Goudes, a 40-minute drive south of Marseille facing the Mediterranean, is Tuba Club. Nestled in a historic seaside building,with its laid-back restaurant and sun-splashed terraces it is a perfect hideout for locals and international visitors who can actually find it.

Daily
Sep 27, 2023

On This Cruise, You’re Guaranteed to See the Northern Lights or Your Second One’s Free

There’s no doubt the northern lights are awe-inspiring and spectacular. Unfortunately, they’re also fickle and fleeting, and despite your best-laid plans of checking this item off your bucket list, sometimes Mother Nature’s luminescent show just doesn’t cooperate. But one cruise line has a new fail-safe in place.

MORE TO TRAVEL

There’s more to travel than just getting there.

Daily
Sep 27, 2023

Sail Away on Dream Yacht Worldwide’s Easy Crewed Expeditions

Think you need a degree in sailing to enjoy a yachting holiday? Dream Yacht Worldwide, a leader in yacht charters, wants you to relax and enjoy the journey. Newly expanded to include the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Tahiti and the Seychelles, the "Easy Crewed” offered by Dream Yacht Worldwide also include charter options in Greece and Croatia.