Caramelized Nectarine Almond Phyllo Cups With Frozen Orange Mousse Food

CARAMELIZED NECTARINE

Steps:

• Cut nectarine all the way around and twist open. Remove pit. Sprinkle sugar on the cut side of each nectarine half.
• Place nectarine, cut-side down, onto a griddle or in a skillet over medium heat; cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer nectarines to a plate, cut-side up, and top each with plain yogurt.

CARAMELIZED PEACHES OR NECTARINES

Steps:

• Set a strainer over a bowl and cut the nectarines into the strainer, so their juice collects in the bowl.
• Heat the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
• When it is hot but not smoking, add the nectarines and sauté them until they sizzle and their juices reduce and begin to thicken, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle the sugar over them and sauté until the juices further thicken and the sugar caramelizes slightly, about 1 minute. You may want to increase the heat under the pan to medium-high.
• Add the lemon juice and sauté until the juices thicken, then add any nectarine juice that collected in the bowl, and shake the pan so that all is well blended.
• Let the nectarines cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the juices are very thick, which will take a minute or so. The total cooking time will be about 6 minutes.
• Transfer the nectarines to 4 warmed dessert plates, or to a warmed serving dish, let sit for about 4 minutes so they are not blistering hot when served.

PHYLLO CUPS WITH CARAMELIZED ONION HORS D'OEUVRES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter or margarine in 10" skillet; add onions. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden and caramelized (7-10 minutes). Stir in remaining filling ingredients. Continue cooking until heated through and no more liquid.
• Set aside. Allow to cool at least 10 minutes.
• Butter the insides of phyllo cups.
• Place phyllo cups on ungreased baking sheet; place about 1 scant teaspoon of onion mixture in center of cups. Top with 1 teaspoon cheese.
• Repeat the process with remaining phyllo cups.
• Bake 5-8 minutes or until golden brown. (Watch them so they don't burn!).
• Serve warm.
• *Filling can be made 1 day ahead. Just bring to room temperature when you are going to make the cups.*.

CARAMELIZED NECTARINES

Steps:

• 1. Set a strainer over a bowl and cut the nectarines into the strainer, so their juice collects in the bowl.
• 2. Heat the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. When it is hot but not smoking, add the nectarines and sauté them until they sizzle and their juices reduce and begin to thicken, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle the sugar over them and sauté until the juices further thicken and the sugar caramelizes slightly, about 1 minute. You may want to increase the heat under the pan to medium-high. Add the lemon juice and sauté until the juices thicken, then add any nectarine juice that collected in the bowl, and shake the pan so that all is well blended. Let the nectarines cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the juices are very thick, which will take a minute or so. The total cooking time will be about 6 minutes.
• 3. Transfer the nectarines to 4 warmed dessert plates, or to a warmed serving dish, let sit for about 4 minutes so they are not blistering hot when served.

CARAMELIZED NECTARINE-ALMOND PHYLLO CUPS WITH FROZEN ORANGE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Whisk yolks, sugar and cup water in large metal bowl to blend. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water); whisk constantly until mixture thickens and candy thermometer registers 170°F., about 4 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into egg mixture. Using electric mixer, beat until mixture is cool and thick, about 5 minutes. Mix in peel.
• Beat cream in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Add Grand Marnier; beat until stiff peaks form. Fold into cooled mousse mixture. Cover; freeze until firm, at least 6 hours or overnight. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Keep frozen.)
• Brush six 3/4-cup custard cups with some melted butter. Place 1 phyllo sheet on work surface (cover remaining phyllo with plastic wrap, then damp kitchen towel). Brush phyllo sheet with melted butter. Top with second phyllo sheet. Brush with melted butter. Cut phyllo stack into six 5-1/2 to 6-inch squares. Press 1 square stack, buttered side down, into each cup. Repeat buttering, stacking and cutting with remaining 2 phyllo sheets. Press 1 square stack, buttered side down, atop first stack in each cup, positioning corners at different angles and extending over edges of cups. Brush phyllo with butter. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Preheat broiler. Stir preserves in small saucepan over medium-low heat until melted. Arrange nectarine slices on baking sheet. Brush generously with some of apricot preserves. Broil just until glaze bubbles, moving baking sheet if necessary for even broiling, about 2 minutes. Cool nectarines on baking sheet. Combine almond paste, yolk, 1 tablespoons butter, flour and vanilla in processor. Process until smooth.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Divide almond filling among phyllo cups (layer will be thin). Place cups on baking sheet. Bake until filling is set and phyllo is golden, about 10 minutes. Cool 15 minutes.
• Gently remove phyllo cups from custard cups; place on plates. Melt preserves over low heat. Arrange nectarine slices atop almond filling. Brush with preserves. Place scoop of frozen mousse alongside.