Chocolate Dome With Summer Berry Compote Recipes

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL DOMES

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk in the milk, vegetable oil, vanilla, egg and 1 teaspoon hot water until smooth and combined.
• Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack, then flip out onto a cutting board to cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Use a 2 1/2-inch round biscuit cutter to cut out 6 circles from the cake (save the scraps for another use); set aside.
• For the chocolate domes and mousse: Meanwhile, add the coconut oil and 3 ounces of the chocolate to a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between each, until the chocolate and coconut oil are melted and the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour the chocolate mixture into the cavities of a silicone half-sphere mold with six 3-ounce-capacity cavities and tilt the mold to swirl the chocolate around until each half-sphere is coated entirely (you can also use your finger to swirl the chocolate around). Some chocolate may spill over on top of the mold, which is fine; it will break off when you unmold the domes. Tap out any excess chocolate and freeze until the chocolate is hardened, about 5 minutes.
• Put 1/4 cup of the cream in a small bowl and stir in the gelatin. Put the butter and remaining 6 ounces chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between each, until the chocolate and butter are melted and the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir the gelatin mixture into the chocolate mixture until the gelatin is dissolved. Cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
• Whip the remaining 3/4 cup cream in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Add half of the chocolate-gelatin mixture and continue beating until well combined. Add the remaining chocolate-gelatin mixture and continue beating until no streaks remain.
• For the filling and topping: Scoop 1/3 cup of the mousse into each chocolate cavity in the half-sphere mold. Using the back of a teaspoon, make a divot in the middle of each portion of chocolate mousse about halfway down. Pour a heaping teaspoon of caramel sauce into each divot. Top each half-sphere with a cake round, pressing down gently into the mousse (use a paper towel to wipe away any mousse that may seep out of the mold). Freeze until the mousse is set, about 1 hour.
• Gently peel the mold away from each of the half-spheres and place them cake-side down on a serving platter.
• Use a vegetable peeler to shave 1 tablespoon of chocolate curls from the chocolate. Put the remaining chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until melted, about 1 minute. Drizzle the melted chocolate over each dome and sprinkle with the chocolate shavings. Serve immediately.

CHEF LEE ANNE WONG'S PANCAKES WITH SUMMER BERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together over a large piece of parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract together until well combined. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and whisk until a thick batter is formed. Whisk in the melted butter.
• Heat a nonstick griddle or pan over medium heat. Add a teaspoon of butter and swirl the pan to coat the bottom. Ladle 1/4 cup of the batter onto the pan to form a pancake. Cook until you see bubbles break the surface of the pancake and the underside is golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Then carefully flip the pancake to finish cooking on the other side, another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the pancakes to a platter and cover with foil to keep warm (or place in a preheated 200 degree F oven, covered) and continue to make the pancakes until all of the batter has been used up, wiping out the pan or griddle with a paper towel after each use.
• Serve with warm Summer Berry Compote.
• In a large nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the mixed berries, sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice.
• Saute the mixture, stirring often, until the berries begin to break down and release their juices, around 5 minutes. Add the pinch of salt and check for seasoning (add more sugar and lemon juice, if desired).
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the basil leaves. Serve immediately with warm pancakes.

QUICK FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• If using strawberries, hull, halve or quarter to make them a similar size to the other berries. Tip all the fruits into a large pan with 2-3 tbsp water, sugar to taste and your choice of flavourings.
• Bring to the boil then simmer for 3-5 mins. Don't overcook, or the fruits will not hold their shape. Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days, in the freezer for up to 3 months.

ROASTED MIXED BERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Cut the stems off the strawberries and slice any large ones in half. Add the strawberries to a colander along with the blueberries and raspberries and wash in the sink. Dry the berries on a sheet pan lined with paper towels, then transfer the berries to a large bowl.
• Add the honey, vanilla bean paste, vinegar, salt and pepper. Gently fold together with a rubber spatula, being careful not to crush the berries.
• Transfer the berry mixture to a 6- to 8-quart casserole dish and roast until the berries start to release their juices and slightly break down, about 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature as a topping for pancakes, oatmeal, ice cream, cake and more, with additional drizzles of balsamic vinegar.

MIXED BERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Dissolve cornstarch in brandy in a small bowl and set aside.
• Combine mixed berries, sugar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Add cornstarch mixture and boil until berries break down and compote thickens to the desired consistency, 2 to 3 minutes.

WARM BERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Stir together berries, sugar, zest, and juice in a slow cooker. Cook on High until bubbling, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Stir together cornstarch and water in a cup until fully dissolved. Stir into berry mixture. Cook, covered, until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes more. Serve warm or room temperature.

COMPOTE WITH FROZEN BERRIES

Steps:

• Combine blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, sugar, water, and butter in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until berries break down, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and continue to simmer mixture, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and allow to thicken until consistency is similar to a chutney or thick jam, adding flour to thicken even more if desired. Serve warm or chilled.