Rivoli Hors d'Oeuvres

Ingredients

For Pickled Herring Mousse:

• 24-ounce jar pickled herring, about 5 fish
• 2 large green apples, cored and seeded
• 1/4 cup Calvados
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• Freshly ground salt
• Freshly ground white pepper
• 1 package gelatin
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 egg whites, whipped*
• * The American Egg Board states: "There have been warnings against consuming raw or lightly cooked eggs on the grounds that the egg may be contaminated with Salmonella, a bacteria responsible for a type of food poisoning....Healthy people need to remember that there is a very small risk and treat eggs and other raw animal foods accordingly. Use only properly refrigerated, clean, sound-shelled, fresh, grade AA or A eggs. Avoid mixing yolks and whites with the shell."

Directions

Chill mold for mousse in freezer. Blend herring, 1 at a time, to a fine puree. Strain through a fine sieve. Puree apples with Calvados, and add to herring puree. Stir in cream. Season with salt and pepper.

Dissolve gelatin in water over low heat. Do not let boil. Set aside to cool.

Fold egg whites into herring-apple puree, then whisk in cooled gelatin. Pour in chilled mold and place in refrigerator to set.

To serve, unmold and slice.

For Onions and Raisins in a Seasoned Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons clarified butter
• 4 onions, 2 ounces each, quartered and petals separated
• 3/4 cup dry white wine
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• Freshly ground salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 8 ounces button mushrooms

Heat 2 tablespoons butter in large pan over medium heat. Add onions and gently cook. Then add 1/2 of the white wine, half of the ketchup, and half of the raisins. Saute for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

In a separate pan, heat remaining butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook gently. Add the remaining wine, ketchup, and raisins. Season with salt and pepper.

Chill each mixture in separate bowls until ready to serve.

For Veal Brains in Marinade:

• 2 veal brains, rinsed well and soaked in cold water for 1 hour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Drain brains and place in saucepan with fresh water to cover. Bring to boil, over medium heat. Remove and plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Once cooled, drain, trim off fat and skin, and cut into 1-inch pieces. Set aside.

Blend together sugar, vinegar, oil and cayenne. Pour over brains and chill for 1 hour.