Gratin Of Blueberries With Vanilla Food

ALAIN DUCASSE'S GRATIN OF BLUEBERRIES WITH VANILLA

Steps:

• To make the compote, rinse the berries in cold water. In a medium saucepan on medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, mint, creme de cassis and blueberries. Cook slowly until the berries are softened, about 7 minutes. Transfer to an ovenproof gratin or baking dish and let cool.
• To make the sabayon, begin whisking the yolks in the top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water. Whisk in the vermouth, sugar and seeds from the vanilla bean. Continue whisking until the mixture doubles in volume. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• When ready to serve, preheat the broiler or have a small culinary blowtorch ready. Whip the cream until it holds soft peaks. Fold it into the cooled sabayon. Pour the mixture over the berries and sprinkle the top with the confectioners' sugar. Place under the broiler or cook with the blowtorch until the top is lightly browned. (The sabayon will melt slightly.) Serve immediately.

SUMMER BERRY GRATIN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch, and sugar.
• In another bowl, beat egg and yolk until pale and fluffy. Add dry ingredients slowly; beat until pale and fluffy again, about 2 minutes.
• In a small, heavy-bottomed stainless-steel saucepan, scald milk. Slowly add half of it to egg-flour mixture, beating constantly. Add this mixture to remaining milk in saucepan, and cook over a very low flame, whisking constantly. When mixture bubbles and thickens, remove from heat, and continue whisking for 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl, and stir in vanilla and butter. Refrigerate until chilled. (The dessert can be prepared to this point up to 2 days ahead.)
• Preheat broiler. Fold mascarpone into custard and divide among gratin dishes. Press berries into custard. Sift confectioners' sugar over tops and set on a cookie sheet. Broil on top rack until evenly browned, about 2 minutes. Let cool 1 minute and serve.

BLUEBERRY VANILLA SYRUP

Steps:

• Combine sugar and cornstarch in a large pot. Pour in water, corn syrup, and lemon juice. Stir in blueberries and vanilla bean. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until thickened and infused with vanilla flavor, about 5 minutes. Remove syrup from heat.
• Strain syrup into 3 hot, sterilized half-pint canning jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any residue. Top with lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool, about 1 hour. Press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

FRESH BERRY GRATIN

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Toss fruit gently with sugar, kirsch (if using), and salt in medium nonreactive bowl and transfer to 9-inch glass or ceramic pie pan.
• Pulse bread, butter, sugar, and cinnamon in bowl of food processor fitted with steel blade until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about ten 1-second pulses.
• Sprinkle crumbs evenly over fruit and bake until crumbs are deep golden brown and fruit is hot, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Cool on wire rack 5 minutes and serve.

GRATIN OF BLUEBERRIES WITH VANILLA

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan on medium low heat, melt the butter.
• Add the sugar, vanilla bean, mint, cassis and blueberries.
• Cook slowly until the berries are softened, about 7 minutes.
• Transfer to an ovenproof gratin dish or baking dish, remove vanilla bean and let cool.
• Sabayon:.
• Bring water in the bottom of a double boiler to a bare simmer.
• Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean.
• Add the eggs to the top of the double boiler and whisk.
• Whisk in the vermouth, sugar and seeds from the vanilla bean.
• Continue whisking until the mixture doubles in volume.
• Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
• When ready to serve:.
• Preheat broiler or (if you're lucky enough to have one)have a small culinary blowtorch ready.
• Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks.
• Fold cream into cooled sabayon.
• Pour the mixture over the berries.
• Sprinkle the entire top with confectioners' sugar.
• Place under the broiler or wield blowtorch until top is nicely browned.
• Serve immediately.