Anise Cranberry Clafoutis Orange Blossom Water Food

ORANGE ANISE SEED SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• *NOTE: The orange juice is my addition. You can add any proportion of milk and orange juice as long as the liquid equals 1 cup.
• Topping Number Two: To make the simple syrup, bring the water and sugar to the boil in a small saucepan. Boil for 2 minutes, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add the orange blossom water. Set aside.
• Cake: Grease and flour an 8" square baking pan.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar and eggs until fluffy.
• Add the flour, baking powder, salt, milk, orange juice, anise seeds and nutmeg. Beat on low speeds just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Next, beat on medium speed until fluffy and blended, about another minute.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 30-35 minutes or until cake springs back when touched.
• Remove from oven and while still cake is still hot spread the orange marmalade on top for Topping Number One. For Topping Number Two, poke holes in the top of the cake all over with a toothpick. Pour the simple syrup over the top.
• Cut into squares. Delicious with coffee!

CRANBERRY CLAFOUTIS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Butter a deep 9- or 10-inch pie plate or a gratin dish of similar size. Sprinkle it with a tablespoon or so of sugar, then swirl dish to coat evenly. Invert to remove excess.
• Beat eggs well, then add remaining sugar. Beat until smooth. Add flour, and beat again until smooth. Add the half-and-half or milk and salt, and whisk until smooth.
• Coarsely chop cranberries and walnuts. If using a food processor, do not overprocess -- just pulse until chopped. (It's very fast.) Put cranberry mixture in pie plate, and pour batter over it.
• Bake for about 30 minutes, or until clafoutis is nicely browned on top and a knife inserted into it comes out clean. Sift some confectioners' sugar over it, and serve warm or at room temperature.

CRANBERRY CLAFOUTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 1-quart baking dish (not metal) using a pastry brush; sprinkle 2 tablespoons granulated sugar over bottom. Sift remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, the flour, and salt into a large bowl. Gradually whisk in eggs, 3/4 cup cream, the milk, and zest.
• Scatter cranberries into dish; pour batter over top. Bake until puffed, slightly set, and brown around edges, 32 to 34 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes (it will sink).
• Whisk remaining 1/4 cup cream until soft peaks form. Dust clafouti with confectioners' sugar. Serve with whipped cream.

STAR ANISE CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• in a saucepan bring port, water, sugar, salt, and star anise to a boil, immediately remove from heat, cover, and let it stand for 20 minutes to infuse the flavors.
• return the liquid to a boil, add cranberries, return to boil, lower heat to simmer.
• cook for 8-10 minutes until cranberries pop and sauce thickens.
• remove star anise and stir in orange zest.
• cool.