Honey Cardamom Custards With Strawberry Orange Compote Recipes

BROWN SUGAR CUSTARD WITH STRAWBERRY COMPOTE, WHIPPED CREME FRAICHE AND ALMOND HONEYCOMB

Steps:

• For the custard: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Combine the cream and vanilla seeds in a small saucepan and cook until it reaches 180 degrees F or tiny bubbles form on the side of the pot.
• Combine the egg yolks, brown sugar and salt in a large bowl and whisk until light and smooth in color. Slowly add the hot cream mixture to the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the yolks from overcooking.
• Transfer the custard to a large measuring cup or pitcher, then divide it among four 8-ounce mason jars, filling about two-thirds of the way full. Place them in a deep baking dish. Fill the baking dish with hot water, coming about halfway up the sides of the jars. Cover the jars with aluminum foil and transfer to the oven; bake until the custard jiggles like gelatin when the jars are tapped, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, uncover and transfer to the refrigerator to chill until set, about 1 hour and up to overnight. Alternatively, place in the freezer for 25 to 30 minutes.
• For the compote: Prepare an ice bath and set aside.
• Combine the strawberries, granulated sugar, cloves, salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a medium saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until the strawberries are soft, the liquid is syrupy and the bubbles are thick and slow, about 20 minutes. Cool down completely over the ice bath. (The compote will thicken as it cools.) Finish with the lemon juice.
• For the honeycomb candy: Line a baking dish with parchment paper.
• Spread the almonds in an even layer on a second baking sheet and toast in the oven until lightly golden and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• Combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, honey, salt and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepot. Whisk the solution together gently and wipe the sides of the pot down with water so it does not have any sugar crystals stuck to it. Heat the solution over medium heat until it reaches 300 degrees F on a candy thermometer, 10 to 12 minutes. Fold in the almonds and whisk in the baking soda. Immediately pour the mixture out into the lined baking dish, using a rubber spatula to smooth into an even layer. Let cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• Cut the honeycomb into sticks or break into shards.
• In a medium bowl, whisk to combine the creme fraiche with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
• Place a large spoonful of the strawberry compote on top of each custard and top with a dollop of the whipped creme fraiche. Stick a shard or stick of the honeycomb into each and garnish with the fresh mint.

HONEY-CARDAMOM CUSTARDS WITH STRAWBERRY-ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• For Custard:
• Combine 2 cups milk, whipping cream, vanilla bean, orange peel strips, ground cardamom and salt in heavy small saucepan. Cook milk mixture over medium heat until tiny bubbles appear around edge of saucepan. Remove from heat and let steep 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove softened vanilla bean from milk mixture. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into milk mixture; add bean. Heat milk mixture again until tiny bubbles appear around edge of saucepan. Remove saucepan from heat, add honey and stir until honey melts. Using fork, beat egg yolks and whole egg in medium bowl just until blended. Gradually mix hot milk mixture into egg mixture. Strain custard into large measuring cup with spout.
• Pour custard into four 1 1/4-cup soufflé dishes or custard cups. Set dishes in 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Add enough hot water to baking pan to come halfway up sides of dishes. Cover baking pan loosely with aluminum foil. Bake custards until knife inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Transfer dishes to rack and cool completely. Cover custards and refrigerate until well chilled, about 4 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead.
• For Compote:
• Place sliced strawberries in medium bowl. Using small sharp knife, hold oranges over same bowl and cut between membranes to release segments, allowing juice and segments to fall into bowl. Squeeze orange membranes over same bowl to release any juice. Mix in 1 tablespoon honey and ground cardamom. (Compote can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Place custards in dishes on plates. Top with compote and serve.