You are browsing the archive for 2007 November 09.

by danky

Honey-Cardamom Custards with Strawberry-Orange Compote Recipe

November 9, 2007 in Recipes by danky

Few desserts are as comforting or satisfying as a simple egg custard. Here we’ve dressed things up a bit with some extra spice and a fruit compote.

Serves 4.

INGREDIENTS

  • custard
  • 2 cups milk (do not use low-fat or nonfat)
  • 1/4 cup whipping cream
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • 2 2×1-inch orange peel strips (orange part only)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup honey

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 whole large egg
  • compote

  • 1 1-pint basket strawberries, hulled, sliced
  • 2 oranges, peel and white pith removed
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

    DIRECTIONS

    For Custard:
    Combine 2 cups milk, whipping cream, vanilla bean, orange peel strips, ground cardamom and salt in heavy small saucepan. Cook milk mixture over medium heat until tiny bubbles appear around edge of saucepan. Remove from heat and let steep 20 minutes.

    Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove softened vanilla bean from milk mixture. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into milk mixture; add bean. Heat milk mixture again until tiny bubbles appear around edge of saucepan. Remove saucepan from heat, add honey and stir until honey melts. Using fork, beat egg yolks and whole egg in medium bowl just until blended. Gradually mix hot milk mixture into egg mixture. Strain custard into large measuring cup with spout.

    Pour custard into four 1 1/4-cup soufflé dishes or custard cups. Set dishes in 13×9x2-inch baking pan. Add enough hot water to baking pan to come halfway up sides of dishes. Cover baking pan loosely with aluminum foil. Bake custards until knife inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Transfer dishes to rack and cool completely. Cover custards and refrigerate until well chilled, about 4 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead.

    For Compote:
    Place sliced strawberries in medium bowl. Using small sharp knife, hold oranges over same bowl and cut between membranes to release segments, allowing juice and segments to fall into bowl. Squeeze orange membranes over same bowl to release any juice. Mix in 1 tablespoon honey and ground cardamom. (Compote can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

    Place custards in dishes on plates. Top with compote and serve.

    • Share/Bookmark
  • by danky

    Double-Chocolate Pudding Recipe

    November 9, 2007 in Recipes by danky

    As quick as packaged pudding, but twice as rich and flavorful.

    2 Servings; can be doubled.

    INGREDIENTS

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 ounce bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    DIRECTIONS

    Mix sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually add half of milk, whisking until mixture is smooth. Whisk in remaining milk. Continue whisking over medium heat until pudding thickens and comes to boil, about 5 minutes. Continue to boil 1 minute longer, whisking constantly.

    Remove pudding from heat. Add chocolate and vanilla; whisk until chocolate melts and pudding is smooth. Divide between 2 dessert dishes. Cool puddings in freezer 20 minutes and serve.

    • Share/Bookmark
  • by danky

    Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee Recipe

    November 9, 2007 in Recipes by danky

    From the Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona.

    Serves 8.

    INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups whipping cream
  • 2 cups half and half
  • 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 8 large egg yolks
  • 1/3 cup plus 8 tablespoons sugar

    DIRECTIONS

    Preheat oven to 300°F. Bring cream and half and half to boil in heavy large saucepan. Reduce heat to low. Add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Whisk yolks and 1/3 cup sugar in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in hot chocolate mixture. Strain.

    Divide custard among eight 3/4-cup custard cups. Place cups in large baking pan. Add enough hot water to pan to come halfway up sides of cups. Bake until custards are set, about 50 minutes. Remove from water; chill 2 hours. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

    Preheat broiler. Sprinkle each custard with 1 tablespoon sugar. Broil until sugar turns golden, watching closely to avoid burning, about 3 minutes. Refrigerate until custards are set, 1 to 2 hours.

    • Share/Bookmark
  • by danky

    Coconut Bread Pudding with Dried Apricots Recipe

    November 9, 2007 in Recipes by danky

    From the Rainforest Cafe in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

    Serves 10.

    INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1-pound loaf firm white bread, crusts trimmed, bread cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/3 cup dried apricots, thinly sliced (about 2 ounces)
  • 2 1/2 cups canned cream of coconut (such as coco lópez)
  • 2 cups milk (do not use low-fat or nonfat)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 6 large eggs
  • powdered sugar

  • whipped cream (optional)

    DIRECTIONS

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange half of bread cubes in 13×9x2-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle with half of coconut and all of apricots. Arrange remaining bread over. Top with remaining coconut. Combine cream of coconut, milk, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla in heavy large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture is just warm. Remove from heat. Whisk eggs in large bowl to blend. Whisk in warm milk mixture. Pour mixture over bread in baking dish. Using back of spoon, push bread gently into milk mixture. Let stand 15 minutes.

    Bake until pudding is set and golden brown, about 50 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool slightly.

    Sift powdered sugar over bread pudding. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream, if desired.

    • Share/Bookmark
  • by danky

    Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

    November 9, 2007 in Recipes by danky

    Makes about 42.

    INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate chips

    DIRECTIONS

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Using electric mixer, beat both sugars, shortening and butter in large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix flour, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and mix until blended. Stir in chocolate chips.

    Drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto heavy large baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Transfer baking sheets to racks; cool 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks; cool completely.

    • Share/Bookmark