Blackberry Gratin Food

FRESH RASPBERRY GRATINS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler for at least 15 minutes, with the rack about 5 inches away from the heat.
• To make the sabayon, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering (not boiling) water until thick and creamy, about 4 to 5 minutes. Whisk almost constantly, scraping the egg mixture from the bottom of the bowl. Slowly whisk in the Marsala wine and continue whisking over the simmering water for about 5 more minutes, until the mixture is thick and smooth, like a soft whipped cream. It should register about 150 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Whisk in the vanilla, remove from the heat, and set aside.
• Place one snug layer of raspberries in 6 (6 to 7-inch) shallow gratin dishes. (Each of my dishes holds about one half-pint of raspberries.) Spoon enough sabayon over the raspberries to cover them. Sprinkle each one lightly with granulated sugar. Arrange the dishes on 2 sheet pans and place themone pan at a timeunder the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the tops of the gratins are lightly browned. Watch them carefully; they burn really quickly! Serve warm.

RASPBERRY GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and set rack on lower third. Butter a 2-quart gratin or other baking dish.
• Scatter the raspberries evenly in the dish and sprinkle with the sugar and the eau de vie.
• For the batter, whip the whites with salt until they hold a very soft peak. Beat in the sugar very slowly until the whites hold a firm peak. Whisk the yolks until liquid and fold into the whites with the flour.
• Spoon the batter over the raspberries in 8 to 10 separate mounds. Bake about 10 minutes, until well risen and golden brown. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar and serve immediately.

BLACKBERRY VINEGAR

Steps:

• In a one-quart mason jar place the blackberries in the bottom. You may crush lightly with a wooden spoon for the most flavor if you like. Fill the jar with the vinegar and put the lid on. Place the jar outside in the sun to steep all day like you would for Sun Tea. At the end of the day strain vinegar into another jar. Will keep for months.