Dutch Oven Cherry Clafoutis Food

DUTCH OVEN CHERRY CLAFOUTIS

Steps:

• Heat an oven to 400°F or prepare charcoal for cooking outdoors by heating coals in a chimney starter until hot and ashy.
• Butter the bottom and sides of a 5-quart Dutch oven. If using fresh cherries, rinse, stem and pit the cherries. If using frozen, place the cherries into a colander and allow to thaw completely before using. Discard the juice. Spread the cherries evenly over the bottom of the Dutch oven.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until frothy and lightened in color. Add the milk, vanilla, and flour and whisk to combine. Pour the batter over the cherries.
• To bake in the oven: Bake on the middle rack, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until golden on top and a knife comes out clean when inserted into the middle.
• To bake outdoors: Place 18 to 19 coals on a Dutch oven table. Place a cooling rack, or other wire rack, that is at least 2 inches high, directly over the coals. Place the Dutch oven on the rack directly over the coals. Cover with the lid and place 22 to 23 coals on top. Cook with the lid on for 25 minutes. Remove the lid and cook for another 5 minutes or until golden on top and a knife comes out clean when inserted into the middle.
• Cool for 30 minutes before removing from the Dutch oven, slicing and serving.

BASIC CLAFOUTIS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and butter until the sugar is dissolved. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Pour the batter into a cast iron skillet or pie pan.
• 2. Now add your favorite fruit or flavoring (see below). Bake until the clafoutis is beautifully puffed and golden, 35-40 minutes. Serve immediately.
• Clafoutis Variations: Concord Grape Clafoutis: Once the batter is in the skillet, scatter 2 cups slightly crushed Concord or other black or red grapes on top. Cherry Clafoutis: Scatter 2 cups pitted cherries onto the batter once it's poured into pie plates. Pear Clafoutis with Pear Eau de Vie: Core 1 ripe pear and cut into pieces. Pour the batter into the skillet and top with the pear pieces. Bake. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons eau de vie and serve immediately. Milk Chocolate and Hazelnut Clafoutis: Melt 1 cup chopped milk chocolate in a large mixing bowl set above a simmering pot of water. Fold in the clafoutis batter until smooth and fully incorporated. Pour into a skillet or pie plate, sprinkle with 1/4 cup coarsely chopped hazelnuts, and bake.

SKILLET CHERRY CLAFOUTIS

Steps:

• Wash and pit the cherries; set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Separate the eggs.
• Beat the egg yolks and sugar on medium-high for about 8 minutes.
• Lightly beat the egg whites in a separate bowl; set aside.
• Slowly and individually, add the flour, extract, salt, and heavy cream to the egg mixture; beat until combined.
• Add the egg whites, beat until combined.
• Coat the skillet in the softened butter.
• Toss in skillet in the oven for 5 minutes to heat up.
• Add the cherries to warm skillet and then sprinkle the lemon zest over the top.
• Pour the batter over the zested cherries; smooth to make even.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Allow to rest for a 3-5 minutes.
• Dust with powdered sugar, slice, and serve.

CHERRY CLAFOUTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 12-inch round baking dish or pie plate.
• Combine the egg yolks and 1/3 cup of the granulated sugar in a large bowl. Using a handheld mixer, beat on medium-high speed until ribbons form when you lift the beater just slightly out of the batter, about 8 minutes. Add the heavy cream, flour and vanilla extract. Reduce the speed to low and beat until thoroughly blended, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
• Put the prepared baking dish on a baking sheet and slide into the oven to preheat for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the egg whites and salt in a small bowl for about 30 seconds. Add to the batter and beat with the mixer on low speed until just incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Combine the cherries, lemon zest and remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar in a medium bowl and stir until the cherries are thoroughly coated. If using frozen cherries, mix in 1 tablespoon of flour.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven, pour the cherry mixture into the baking dish and top with the batter. Bake until set in the middle, 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm with confectioners' sugar and a small dollop of whipped cream.