Glace Aux Pruneaux Gascon Prune Ice Cream Food

GLACE AUX PRUNEAUX (GASCON PRUNE ICE CREAM)

Steps:

• Ten days before you plan to serve the ice cream, combine the prunes and the Armagnac in a covered container and set in a cool place.
• When ready to make the ice cream, set aside 6 or 8 prunes.
• Place the remaining prunes and the Armagnac in a food process or blender and process to a corse puree and set aside.
• In a saucepan, combine milk and 2/3 of the sugar, bring just to the boil over medium heat, and remove from heat.
• Meanwhile, beat the remaining sugar with the egg yolks until pale yellow and thick (don't skimp on the stirring here).
• Slowly temper the yolk mixture with the milk/sugar mixture until combined in the saucepan.
• Return ot medium heat and cook, stirring constantly until mixture coats the back of a spoon (about 175 degrees on a candy thermometer).
• Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• When completely cool, stir in the prune mixture, and pour the combination into the bowl of an ice cream maker.
• Follow machine directions.
• Serve, garnishing with reserved prunes.

PRUNE-ARMAGNAC ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Place the prunes and enough water to cover in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then turn off the heat. Let the prunes cool in the liquid, then drain them well. Stir in the Armagnac, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
• In a large, heavy saucepan, bring the milk, cream, and 1 cup of the sugar to a simmer. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the remaining ¼ cup of sugar. Remove the milk mixture from the heat and add a little to the egg yolk mixture to warm it, whisking constantly to keep the yolks from cooking. Pour the egg yolk mixture into the hot milk mixture, whisking the milk constantly as you pour.
• Return the custard to the stove and cook it over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon. Remove from the heat and strain it into a bowl. Stir in the salt and let cool completely.
• Chill the custard until it's thoroughly cold, at least 4 hours. Freeze in an ice-cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Fold the Armagnac-soaked prunes into the ice cream immediately after freezing while it's still soft. Transfer to a container and place in the freezer until frozen solid, at least 2 hours.

TARTE AUX PRUNEAUX (PRUNE TART --GASCOGNY)

Steps:

• To make the crust.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
• Cut in the butter, mixing with your finger tips or a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Add the water, drops at a time, until dough forms--add no more water than absolutely necessary.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a disc to fit at ten or ten and a half inch tart mold.
• Lay the dough over the mold and gently press it into place on the bottom and sides.
• Remove any excess dough and refrigerate the tart mold for at least one hour.
• To make the Filling:.
• Place the prunes in a bowl and cover with hot water; add the lemon juice and allow prunes to stand for about half an hour or until plumped.
• Drain and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar and beat until light and fluffy -- do not under-beat.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating continuously.
• Fold in the flour and the ground almonds and mix gently but well.
• Pour this mixture into the prepared tart mold, smooth the top with a spatula, and arrange the prunes on top.
• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the surface turns golden brown.
• Remove from over and pour the Armagnac over the tart.
• Cool for a few minutes, then brush the top with the warm apricot preserves to glaze.
• Serve at room temperature.
• Note: If the edges of your tart brown too quickly place a ring of foil over the crust.

GLACE AUX PRUNEAUX

Steps:

• Ten days before you plan to serve the ice cream, combine the prunes and Armagnac in a covered container. Set aside.
• To make the ice cream, remove six prunes from the container. Set aside. Place the remaining prunes and Armagnac in a food processor or blender. Process to a coarse puree. Set aside. Combine the milk with 2/3 cup of the sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat. Set aside.
• Beat the remaining sugar with the egg yolks until the mixture is pale yellow and thick. Slowly whisk 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into yolks. Pour the hot custard into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches 175 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Set aside until cool. Add the prune puree. Refrigerate until chilled. Pour into the bowl of an ice-cream maker and proceed as directed. Scoop the ice cream into individual bowls and garnish with the reserved prunes.