Clafoutis With Muscat Prunes Food

PLUM CLAFOUTIS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Arrange 2 racks equally spaced in the oven. Place six (6 1/2-inch) individual gratin dishes on 2 sheet pans.
• In a small bowl, combine the vanilla seeds with the 2 teaspoons of sugar. Butter the six gratin dishes well with the butter and sprinkle the dishes with the vanilla and sugar mixture. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs and the 2/3 cup sugar on medium speed, until blended. Lower the speed and add the flour, cream, milk, and Armagnac. Whisk in the star anise and salt just until combined and set aside for 10 minutes. The batter will look like pancake batter.
• Cut the plums in half through the stem, discard the pits, and cut each half in wedges, again cutting through the stem. Distribute half a plum to each gratin dish, placing them in a pinwheel pattern. Distribute the batter evenly in the gratins (the plums will only be half immersed in the batter) and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the custard is just set.
• Sprinkle with the orange zest and serve hot or warm.

PRUNE ARMAGNAC CLAFOUTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 10-by-1 1/2-inch round baking dish with the butter and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.
• In a small bowl, combine the prunes with 2 tablespoons of Armagnac and microwave on high for 1 minute. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs and 1/3 cup granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, until light and thick. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Combine the cream, vanilla, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon Armagnac in a glass measuring cup. On low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the batter and then add the liquid ingredients, mixing well. Set aside for 10 minutes
• Distribute the prunes in the prepared pan and carefully pour on the batter. Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon granulated sugar. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool slightly, sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and serve warm.

PRUNE CLAFOUTIS

Steps:

• Use 1/2 tablespoon butter to grease a 9-inch round shallow ceramic baking dish, like a quiche pan, or a 10-inch ceramic pie plate.
• Place all but 1/2 tablespoon remaining butter in food processor or electric mixer. Process or beat briefly until creamed. Sift together almonds and all but 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar. Add to butter and continue to process or beat until thick and light in color. Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Add whole egg and process or beat well. Transfer to large bowl.
• In a medium-size bowl, vigorously whisk egg yolks and granulated sugar together until creamy. Whisk in remaining cornstarch. Scald milk in saucepan, then add in a thin stream to egg yolk mixture, beating constantly. Transfer mixture back to saucepan and heat, whisking constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat, brush surface with remaining butter and place saucepan in bowl of ice water to cool down the mixture.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. When mixture in saucepan has cooled to room temperature, fold it into almond mixture in bowl. Fold in prunes.
• Spread batter in baking dish and bake about 30 minutes, until top is lightly browned and knife inserted in center comes out clean.
• Transfer to rack and allow to cool about 30 minutes. Sift remaining confectioners' sugar over the surface and serve.