Merlot Poached Figs With Vanilla Frozen Yogurt Food

MASOOR DAL WITH YOGURT

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, tomatoes and a big pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion and tomato soften and the excess liquid evaporates, 7 to 9 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and curry powder and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 minutes.
• Add the lentils and stir to coat with the tomato mixture. Add 3 1/2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the lentils are tender and have lost their shape, 12 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; if the mixture gets too thick, add 1/4 cup of water at a time to loosen.
• Divide the lentils among bowls. Top with the yogurt, cilantro and chiles. Serve with the naan.

FROZEN VANILLA MOUSSE (SCHIUMONE)

Steps:

• Line six 3-inch muffin or custard cups with paper cupcake liners.
• In the top of a double boiler or a stainless steel mixing bowl set over a pot of simmering water (do not let the water touch the bottom of the bowl), whisk together the egg whites and sugar. Continue to whisk gently until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is warm to the touch (test it with a clean finger). Remove from the heat and, with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the mixture until white and fluffy and completely cool.
• In a medium bowl, combine the cream and vanilla and, with the same beaters, whip until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the beaten egg whites until completely incorporated, then fold in the almonds. Spoon the schiumone into the prepared cups and freeze for at least 3 hours.

FROZEN BEERGARITAS

Steps:

• Stir together the tequila, lime juice, orange juice and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and freeze until hard, about 5 hours. Scrape the mixture with a fork to break it into small ice crystals.
• Spread 2 tablespoons salt on a small plate. Moisten the rims of 4 large martini glasses with a lime wedge and invert onto the salt. Distribute the frozen margarita among the glasses, and then top each with half a beer. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve.

WARM STRAWBERRY SALAD WITH VANILLA FROZEN YOGURT

Steps:

• Make the Frozen Yogurt: In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, simple syrup, and vanilla. Chill 30 minutes; then freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions
• Cram the frozen yogurt into the milk container, packing it well to get rid of all the air pockets. Freeze for at least 6 hours.
• Make the Strawberry Salad: puree the raspberries and sugar in a blender. Strain out the seeds and taste the puree for sweetness, adding more sugar if necessary. Divide the puree on among the plates, spreading evenly to coat the bottom of each plate. Using 4 berries per plate, carefully fan them on top of each plate, starting at the edge and spiraling in to the center. (It can be made up to this point up to 8 hours in advance. Just tightly cover each plate with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.)
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bake the strawberries until just warm, about 2 minutes. Alternatively, microwave them for 1 minute.
• Take the frozen yogurt out of the freezer and lay it on its side. With a serrated knife, leaving the frozen yogurt in its container, cut a 1 1/2-inch think slice off the end. Remove the container band around the slice. Cut the slice on the diagonal into 4 triangles. Place a triangle of frozen yogurt in the center of each plate (it will start to melt immediately). Cut the honeycomb, if using, into 4 pieces and place on top of the frozen yogurt. Serve immediately.

ALMOST-FAMOUS FROZEN YOGURT

Steps:

• Whisk both yogurts, the sugar and corn syrup in a bowl until combined. Pour into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• For a soft consistency, serve right out of the ice cream maker. For a firmer texture, transfer the frozen yogurt to a covered container and freeze for up to 2 hours. Serve with assorted toppings.

BLUEBERRY FROZEN YOGURT

Steps:

• Combine 1/4 cup of the blueberries, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon honey and the thyme sprigs in a small heavy saucepan. Coarsely mash the blueberries using a fork or a potato masher. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat, cover and let the mixture stand for 15 minutes. Uncover the pan and let the syrup cool slightly. Discard the thyme sprigs.
• Place the remaining blueberries, remaining 1/3 cup honey, yogurt, agave, lemon juice and cooled blueberry syrup in a blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture is almost smooth.
• Transfer the yogurt mixture to a shallow glass baking dish, cover and freeze until slushy, about 2 hours. Using a fork, stir to blend. Continue to freeze until firm, at least 8 hours or overnight. Using the tines of a fork, scrape the mixture into small serving bowls or glasses. Serve immediately.

GARLIC YOGURT

Steps:

• Smash 1 garlic clove and sprinkle with kosher salt, then mash and smear into a paste with the flat side of a knife. Mix with 1 1/4 cups low-fat plain Greek yogurt and thin with water. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, smoked paprika and cumin. Serve with the couscous or add a dollop to the pot-au-feu.

FILET MIGNON WITH MERLOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Boil wine, chicken broth and beef broth in heavy large saucepan over high heat until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, about 1 hour. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Mix butter and flour in small bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle steaks with salt and cracked pepper. Sauté steaks until medium-rare, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to plate. Add shallots, garlic and thyme to skillet; stir 30 seconds. Add 1 1/2 cups reduced wine mixture to skillet (reserve remainder for another use). Bring mixture to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add butter mixture and whisk until smooth. Boil sauce until thick enough to coat spoon, about 2 minutes. Serve steaks with sauce.

FIGS COOKED IN MERLOT

Steps:

• Place figs in saucepan wide enough so each has room to cook without touching. Add wine, sugar and raspberries if using. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove figs and place three on each of 4 dessert plates. Cut them in half vertically, and let cool.
• Continue heating sauce until it boils and begins to thicken. When it forms a light syrup, pour over figs and serve.

RED-WINE-POACHED FIGS WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a 1 1/2-quart saucepan combine all ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Simmer figs, covered, until tender, about 30 minutes.
• Transfer figs with a slotted spoon to a bowl and boil syrup until reduced to about 1/4 cup. Strain syrup through a fine sieve into another bowl. Add syrup to figs and cool to warm.
• Serve fig mixture spooned over ice cream.