Caramelized Nectarine And Ginger Shortcakes With Sour Cream Recipes

CARAMELIZED-NECTARINE AND GINGER SHORTCAKES WITH SOUR CREAM

Steps:

• For biscuits:
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine first 5 ingredients in processor; blend 10 seconds. Add butter and blend until mixture resembles coarse meal. Whisk milk and egg in small bowl. Add milk mixture to processor; blend using 5 on/off turns. Add crystallized ginger. Using on/off turns, blend until dough just comes together. Turn dough out onto work surface; knead gently 5 turns. Shape dough into log; cut crosswise into 8 rounds. Pat each round to 1-inch thickness; place on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake biscuits until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours.
• For filling:
• Combine half of nectarines, 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice in heavy large skillet. Cook over high heat until fruit is just tender and juices bubble thickly, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl; repeat with remaining nectarines, sugar, and lemon juice. Set aside at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours. for sour cream: Combine sour cream and sugar in bowl; whisk to blend.
• Cut biscuits horizontally in half. Place 1 biscuit bottom in each of 8 bowls. Spoon filling and sour cream onto each; cover each with biscuit top.

GINGER STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Make the biscuits: Beat the cream cheese, butter, granulated sugar, grated ginger and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy; reduce the speed to low and beat in the flour and candied ginger until just incorporated. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap; press into a 1-inch-thick disk, tightly wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour or overnight. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 10-inch circle, about 1/2 inch thick. Use a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter to cut out rounds; arrange about 1 inch apart on a baking sheet. Reroll the scraps and cut out more biscuits (you should have 12). Brush the tops lightly with the heavy cream and sprinkle with the demerara sugar. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bake the biscuits until slightly puffed and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the toppings: Puree half of the strawberries in a blender with 1/4 cup granulated sugar and the grated ginger until smooth; transfer to a bowl. Dice the remaining strawberries; add to the pureed berries and toss. Beat the sour cream, heavy cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar in a separate bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Serve each person 2 biscuits with the whipped cream and strawberry mixture. Photograph by Anna Williams

SOUR-CREAM SHORTCAKES WITH FRESH BERRIES

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet. Set aside.
• To make the shortcakes, in a bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using 2 knives or a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the sour cream and egg until moistened. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and pat into a rough circle (the dough will be sticky). Working with about one-sixth of the dough at a time, shape into rough balls and place about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 18 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the berries: if using strawberries, slice them. In a bowl, combine the fruit with sugar to taste. Stir, then let stand until ready to use.
• Remove the shortcakes from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet on a rack. In a bowl, whip the cream with the vanilla until it holds soft peaks. To serve, split each pancake in half horizontally with your fingers and place a bottom half on each of 6 individual plates. Top generously with the sugared berries and whipped cream. Replace the top half and serve.

FRESH NECTARINE-GINGER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Lightly oil and flour a removable bottom cake pan (e.g., angel food cake pan). Set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat (or whisk) together the eggs, milk and oil. Grate the zest off the lemon (use the rest for another purpose) and add to the bowl. Mix well then add the 2/3 C sugar and the ground ginger. Beat well; stir in the flour and mix until a smooth batter is formed.
• Wash the nectarines and pat them dry. Cut the flesh of four nectarines into small pieces (1/3 to 1/2 inch). Add to batter and stir gently until the fruit is completely incorporated.
• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Slice the remaining necarine very thin and lay the slices on the top of the cake to cover. Sprinkle with the candied ginger and the remaining 2 T sugar.
• Bake 50 to 60 (or 70) minutes until firm and golden. Remove from oven and cool completely before serving.

NECTARINE SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine nectarines, lemon juice, and 2 teaspoons granulated sugar. Let stand 15 minutes.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a large bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture forms small pieces. Stir in cream. Fold in nectarine mixture.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat into an 8 1/2-inch round. Using a 2 1/2-inch cutter, cut out 8 rounds, and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with cream; sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.

CARAMELIZED NECTARINE

Steps:

• Cut nectarine all the way around and twist open. Remove pit. Sprinkle sugar on the cut side of each nectarine half.
• Place nectarine, cut-side down, onto a griddle or in a skillet over medium heat; cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer nectarines to a plate, cut-side up, and top each with plain yogurt.