Foie Gras in Savoy Cabbage

A day ahead: Place the foie gras on a work surface and open the lobes. Pull off any skin. Starting at the large lobed end, tease up the end of the largest vein with the tip of a small knife. Holding the vein with between your finger and the knife, pull it gently away from the foie gras until it lifts the entire vein network. Separate and lift away the veins. Season the foie gras lightly with fleur de sel, wrap with cheesecloth, and refrigerate 24 hours. Return to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add the cabbage leaves. Bring back to a full boil and cook 30 seconds. Remove the leaves with tongs and submerge immediately in ice water for 30 seconds to stop the cooking and preserve the color. Remove from the ice water and spread out on a large towel. Carefully blot the leaves dry all over, changing the towel as necessary. Cut out the thickest portion of the central rib and discard.

Unwrap the foie gras and place on a work surface. With a sharp knife, trim the end, then cut four 1-inch-thick slices diagonally through the foie gras, cleaning the knife between each cut.

Place one slice of foie gras in the center of a cabbage leaf. Bring the leaf up and over the foie gras, tucking it under. Fold in the two sides, then roll the remaining portion of the leaf around the packet to seal. Set aside; repeat with the remaining foie gras and cabbage leaves.

Place the foie gras packets on a rack over hot water in a steamer. Do not let then touch the water. Cover and steam 12 to 15 minutes, depending on size. Remove the packets from the steamer and place them on a towel. Blot dry.

To serve: Grind the peppercorns and place a small mound of freshly ground pepper to one side on each warmed serving plate. Place an equal mound of fleur de sel beside each mound of pepper. Place a foie gras packet in the center of each plate.