Cremedecassiscurrantliqueur Recipes

CREME DE CASSIS (CURRANT LIQUEUR)

Steps:

• You will also need: 2 Quart mason jars.
• Phase one:.
• Remove currants from stems and wash.
• Fill two quart jars with currants three-quarters of the way to the top.
• Pour eau de vie or vodka over the currants until the jars are nearly full.
• Seal jars and let sit.
• Note: currents are usually available at the end of July; they should sit in the jars until early December.
• Phase Two:.
• In early December (or in 4 to 6 months), empty the contents of the two jars into a sauce pan.
• Bring to a boil.
• Strain the juice.
• Measure the quantity of juice.
• For every quart of juice, add one quart of sugar and one cup of eau de vie or vodka.
• Combine in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and simmer briefly till sugar is dissolved and mixture is syrupy (about ten minutes).
• Pour into sterilized jars or bottles.
• Seal.
• Note: It is ready to drink at this stage, but it only gets better as it sits.

HOMEMADE CREME DE CASSIS LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Combine the currants and red wine in a ceramic or glass bowl, and leave for at least 24 and up to 48 hours.
• Purée the mixture in a food processor or blender, and then strain it through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a large saucepan.
• For every cup of liquid, add 1 cup of sugar.
• Heat gently, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved.
• Do not let the liquid come to a simmer, as you don't want to boil off the alcohol. Then leave at the lowest heat for an hour or more, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced a little and become slightly syrupy.
• Allow to cool.
• Mix together 1 part vodka or brandy with 3 parts of the cooled blackcurrant-wine syrup, and funnel into clean, dry bottles. Store in a cool place for at least 2 weeks before drinking.
• Use whenever a recipe/cocktail calls for creme de cassis.

CREME ANGLAISE (VANILLA CUSTARD SAUCE)

Steps:

• In a 2-quart heavy saucepan bring 2 cups of the milk, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and the scraped vanilla bean to a boil over medium heat.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Slowly pour 1 cup of the hot milk mixture, whisking constantly, into the egg yolk-sugar mixture. (Do not pour the entire yolk-sugar mixture into the boiling milk mixture, as it will curdle the eggs.) Whisk in the remaining milk. Pour the milk-yolk mixture into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. Do not boil.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the rum. Strain the mixture through a fine wire sieve into a heat--proof bowl. Place the sauce in an ice bath. When cool, transfer the sauce to a bowl. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator, until ready to use. Sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days if well sealed.

CHEF JOHN'S CREME CARAMEL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly spray 4 heatproof 6.5-oz. ramekins with vegetable spray. Place ramekins in a casserole dish.
• Place 1/2 cup sugar in a small, heavy, dry skillet over medium heat. When sugar begins to melt around the edges, gently shake the pan continually, swirling sugar around, until all the sugar melts; don't use utensils to stir. When sugar is completely melted and dark brown, remove the pan from heat.
• Quickly pour equal amounts of caramel syrup into the 4 prepared ramekins.
• Place 1 egg and 3 egg yolks in a bowl with a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup sugar. Whisk until sugar is dissolved and mixture becomes frothy, about 1 minute.
• Spoon the creme fraiche into the egg mixture; add the milk, vanilla, and Grand Marnier. Whisk together until ingredients are completely mixed.
• Ladle mixture into the prepared ramekins, filling them about 2/3 to 3/4 full.
• Fill casserole with hot tap water to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Place casserole on middle rack of preheated oven.
• Bake until just barely set, 45 to 50 minutes. You can start checking for doneness at about 40 minutes.
• Using tongs, remove the ramekins from the casserole to a cooling rack. When just slightly warm, run a sharp paring knife around the edge of each custard.
• To unmold, cover ramekin with a small plate, then invert. Chill before serving.