Almond Custard Fondue Food

CHOCOLATE ALMOND FONDUE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine half-and-half and almond extract. Heat until bubbles begin to form at edge of cream. Do not boil. Reduce heat to low and stir in chocolate chips, stirring constantly. Once all of the chocolate is melted and incorporated, slowly stir in amaretto until combined.
• Pour chocolate mixture into fondue pot and serve with goodies for dipping.
• Cook's Note: You can use this recipe with a heated chocolate fountain.

ALMOND CUSTARD

Steps:

• Blend the cornstarch with a little of the milk. Add the remaining milk.
• Add the egg and cream, whisk well.
• Pour the mixture into a small saucepan and stir constantly over a low heat until the custard thicks. DO NOT BOIL as your mixture may curdle.
• Alternately, instead of the saucepan mixture-you can use the micro-wave. Use medium low heat and stir at 1 minute intervals until the custard thickens.
• Stir in the ground almonds, vanilla and sugar.
• Serve warm or cold as desired.

CHERRY AND ALMOND CLAFOUTI ( BAKED CUSTARD )

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C.
• Grease a 20cm round pie dish with butter or margarine.
• Spread the fruit in the dish.
• In a mixing bowl combine the almond meal and the sugar.
• Separately, whisk together the milk and the eggs.
• Slowly add the eggs and milk to the almond meal and sugar. Mixing until fully combined.
• Pour the almond custard mixture over the cherries. Bake for approx 30 minutes or until the clafouti is just set.
• Dust with icing sugar (use pure icing sugar if following a gluten free diet).
• Serve with cream or ice-cream if desired.
• The clafouti can also be made in ramekin dishes for individual serves. Just watch the cooking time as you will need less time.

ALMOND CUSTARD CAKE

Steps:

• Cut a 9-inch round of parchment paper to line the bottom of a 9 × 2-inch round cake pan. Butter and line the pan. Butter the lining, then flour the pan, tapping out excess; set aside.
• Make the dough: Whisk together 2 1/4 cups flour and the almond flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Put the butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add 3 egg yolks, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add the wine, almond extract, and half the vanilla seeds; mix until combined, about 15 seconds. Add the flour mixture in 2 additions, mixing until just combined (do not overmix).
• Divide the dough in half, and flatten each piece into a disk. Wrap the disks in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour.
• Make the custard filling: Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Fit an electric mixer with the whisk attachment. Put 3 egg yolks and the remaining 6 tablespoons sugar in a clean mixing bowl; beat on medium speed until pale yellow and thickened. Add the remaining 5 tablespoons flour; beat on low speed until combined.
• Bring the milk, remaining vanilla seeds, and zest to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Pour 1/2 cup hot milk mixture into the egg mixture, and beat on medium-low speed until combined. Stir the mixture into the remaining milk in the saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to reach the bottom and sides of the pan. Cook until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Set the pan in the ice-water bath; stir occasionally until cool, about 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Press 1 piece of dough onto the bottom of the prepared pan and 1 1/2 inches up the sides. Spoon the custard on top, and spread into an even layer.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the remaining dough into an 11-inch circle. Drape over the pan; trim the edges flush with the pan. Gently press the edges of the top crust to meet the bottom crust; crimp the top edges with a fork to seal. Refrigerate the cake 30 minutes.
• Beat the remaining egg yolk and the cream in a small bowl. Brush the top of the cake with egg wash; sprinkle with almonds. Bake until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Invert the cake to unmold; peel off the parchment, and reinvert. Just before serving, dust the cake with confectioners' sugar. Serve with the strawberry-rhubarb sauce.
• Strawberry-Rhubarb Sauce
• Bring the rhubarb, sugar, and 1/4 cup water to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 8 minutes. Stir in the strawberries and vanilla; cook until the berries are softened, about 3 minutes more. Serve the sauce warm or at room temperature.

CHERRY, CUSTARD & ALMOND SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Butter two 20cm loose-bottomed round sandwich tins and line with baking parchment. Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 4. Tip the butter and sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer and beat for 10 mins, or until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in the flour, ground almonds, baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt and the milk. Spoon the batter into the prepared tins and bake in the centre of the oven for 22-25 mins, or until risen and firm to the touch. Leave to cool in the tins for 5 mins before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Put the cherries, vanilla, sugar, lemon juice and kirsch or liqueur (if using) in a pan and bring to a simmer over a low heat. Cook for 5 mins, turn up the heat to medium and cook for 5-7 mins more until the liquid becomes syrupy. If the cherries are softened but the liquid isn't yet syrupy, strain the liquid into a separate pan and simmer until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
• Beat the cream and icing sugar together using an electric whisk until the cream has thickened, then fold in the custard and chill for 1 hr.
• Put one of the sponges on a cake plate or stand and spread over the custard cream. Spoon over the cherries, then top with the second sponge. Dust with more icing sugar and serve immediately. Leftovers will keep chilled for two days and are best served at room temperature.