Pan-Seared Ox Brains with Herbed Baked Beans

Thermomix recipe: Pan-Seared Ox Brains with Herbed Baked Beans. Ready in 40 minutes. Serves 2. Step-by-step Thermomix instructions on Chef Amai.

Ingredients

• 300 g fresh ox brains (or thawed if frozen)
• 1 litre cold water (for soaking and blanching)
• 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice (for soaking)
• 1/2 tsp salt (for soaking)
• 50 g plain flour (for dredging)
• 30 g olive oil (for pan-searing brains)
• 15 g butter (for pan-searing brains, optional)
• 1 small shallot (approx. 30g)
• 1 clove garlic
• 10 g olive oil (for sautéing aromatics)
• 400 g canned baked beans
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

1. Carefully rinse the ox brains under cold running water. Place them in a bowl with 1 litre of cold water, 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp salt. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator to remove impurities. Gently remove any visible membranes or blood vessels.
2. Drain the brains. Add 1 litre of fresh water to the Thermomix bowl. Insert the simmering basket. Place the prepared brains into the simmering basket.
3. Cook 7 min / 90°C / Speed 1. This will gently blanch the brains. Carefully remove the simmering basket and rinse the brains under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
4. Once cooled, gently slice the blanched brains into 1 cm thick pieces. Lightly dredge each slice in the 50 g plain flour, shaking off any excess. Set aside.
5. In a separate frying pan (not the Thermomix), heat 30 g olive oil and 15 g butter (if using) over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the floured brain slices into the pan. Pan-sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Keep warm while you prepare the beans.
6. Empty and clean the Thermomix bowl. Add the 1 small shallot and 1 clove garlic to the bowl. Chop 3 sec / Speed 5. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
7. Add 10 g olive oil to the bowl. Sauté 3 min / 120°C / Speed 1. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
8. Add the 400 g canned baked beans, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (if using), 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (if using), and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the bowl. Cook 8 min / 90°C / Speed 2 (Reverse).
9. Pause, scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even heating and prevent sticking. Continue cooking for another 2 min / 90°C / Speed 2 (Reverse) to settle and prevent sticking.
10. Divide the warm baked beans between two plates. Top each serving with the pan-seared ox brains. Garnish with 2 tbsp fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

View this recipe on Chef Amai — convert any recipe to Thermomix format at chefamai.com.