Grilled Sponge Cake With Peach And Cherry Compote Food

GRILLED ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH GRILLED PEACHES AND CREAM AND CHERRY COULIS

Steps:

• For the cake and peaches: Heat a grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates with vegetable oil.
• Grill the cakes until dark grill marks appear, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Grill the flesh side of the peaches until dark grill marks appear, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• In a cold stand mixer bowl using a whisk attachment, combine the whipping cream, mascarpone, honey and vanilla. Whip to medium-stiff peaks. Set aside.
• For the cherry coulis: In a blender, blend the cherries, champagne vinegar, dark brown sugar and 2 tablespoons water until the mixture is smooth. Transfer to a small saucepot and heat until the sugar dissolves. Strain out any solids if necessary and set aside to cool.
• In each of 4 shallow bowls, put a small puddle of coulis. Add a cake on top of that, followed by the grilled peaches and a nice dollop of the mascarpone cream. Garnish with a happy helping of crushed pistachios.

VANILLA GELATO WITH CHERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• For the gelato: Add the milk, cream, 1 cup of the sugar and vanilla bean to a 4-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally to combine.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a large heatproof bowl until they become lighter in color and the sugar dissolves.
• When the milk mixture is at a simmer, lower the heat to medium. Carefully ladle 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture, while whisking, and whisk until fully combined. Repeat this step one more time, then pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan. Add the salt. Cook the mixture while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, making sure to stir the corners of the pot. Cook until the mixture thickens and can coat the back of a spoon.
• Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl or pot with water and ice. Carefully strain the mixture into a strainer set over a heatproof bowl. Remove and discard the vanilla bean. Put the heatproof bowl in the ice bath. Stir occasionally until the mixture is chilled and no longer warm. Set in the fridge until very cold, at least 1 hour.
• Freeze the mixture to an ice-cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a freezer-proof container and cover.
• Freeze before serving, 1 to 2 hours. It's best to serve the gelato the same day it's made.
• For the compote: Combine the cherries, 1/2 cup water and the sugar in a 2-quart saucepan and bring to a bare simmer over medium heat. Stir to allow the sugar to melt. Cook the compote until the ingredients combine and the cherries just begin to break up, 7 to 10 minutes. (Depending on the ripeness of your cherries you may want to cook them longer.) Remove the pan from the heat and add the rum. Ignite the compote safely with a long-handled lighter and return to the stovetop to flambe and cook off the alcohol.
• Serve the gelato with the warm compote.

SPONGE CAKE (PAN DI SPAGNA)

Steps:

• Butter and line with parchment paper a 9-or 10-inch round cake pan that is 2 inches deep.
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the yolks with the vanilla. Whisk in half the sugar and continue to beat until very light and frothy, about 5 minutes, either by hand, with a hand mixer set at medium speed, or in a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the whip.
• Combine the flour and cornstarch and sift once to aerate.
• In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites with the salt until they hold a very soft peak, either by hand, with a hand mixer set at medium speed, or in a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the whip. Beating faster, add the remaining sugar in a very slow stream, beating until the egg whites hold a firm peak.
• Fold the yolk mixture into the whites with a rubber spatula. Sift the flour and cornstarch over the eggs in 3 additions, folding them in gradually. Do not overmix the batter.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, until it is well risen and feels firm when pressed gently with the palm of your hand.
• Immediately loosen the layer from the side of the pan with a small knife or spatula. Invert the layer onto a rack and leave the paper stuck to it. Turn the layer right side up and cool it on a rack.
• Unless you are going to use the layer within a few hours, double-wrap tightly in plastic and keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days, or freeze.

GRILLED CHEESE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch square, 2 1/4-inch-deep cake pan with cooking spray. Prepare the cake mix as directed; pour the batter into the pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool slightly, then invert onto a rack; cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the "soup": Combine the strawberries, peaches, sugar and lemon juice in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the fruit breaks down, about 15 minutes.
• Puree the sauce with an immersion blender (or in a blender) until mostly smooth. Transfer to a bowl.
• Prepare the pudding as directed; tint with yellow and red food coloring to resemble melted cheese.
• Trim the top of the cake with a large serrated knife to make it level.
• Cut the cake in half horizontally.
• Preheat the broiler. Put the cake on a foil-lined baking sheet and brush the top with the melted butter. Broil until toasted, about 4 minutes.
• Cut the cake in half diagonally. Spread the pudding on the bottom triangles, almost all the way to the edge.
• Cover with the toasted top triangles, pressing gently so the pudding oozes out. Serve with the fruit sauce.

YOGURT SPONGE CAKE WITH FALL BERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper and set aside.
• Combine the safflower oil, fructose, vanilla, milk and yogurt in a mixing bowl. Sift together the cake flour and baking soda. Stir into the yogurt mixture.
• Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold into the cake batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake about 30 to 35 minutes or until done.
• Cool in the pan on a wire cooling rack for 10 minutes. Then unmold and cool completely before serving
• Place the pears, apple, lemon juice, fructose and water in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer until the fruit softens, about 8 minutes. Add more water if the sauce seems too dry.
• Add the raspberries and cook a few minutes until they begin to release some of their liquid.
• Serve the sauce warm or cold with a light sponge cake