Italian Prune Plum Clafouti Recipes

PLUM CLAFOUTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Butter a 10 inch pie plate, and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar over the bottom.
• Arrange the plum halves, cut side down, so that they cover the entire bottom of the pie plate. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar over the top of the plums. In a blender, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar, eggs, milk, flour, lemon zest, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Process until smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour over the fruit in the pan.
• Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

PRUNE ARMAGNAC CLAFOUTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 10-by-1 1/2-inch round baking dish with the butter and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.
• In a small bowl, combine the prunes with 2 tablespoons of Armagnac and microwave on high for 1 minute. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs and 1/3 cup granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, until light and thick. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Combine the cream, vanilla, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon Armagnac in a glass measuring cup. On low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the batter and then add the liquid ingredients, mixing well. Set aside for 10 minutes
• Distribute the prunes in the prepared pan and carefully pour on the batter. Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon granulated sugar. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool slightly, sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and serve warm.

PLUM CLAFOUTIS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350°F. Butter a cast iron skillet and set aside. Trim the plums into wedges that are 1/4 inch wide on the skin side of the cut. Toss the plums with 1/3 cup of the granulated sugar, and arrange them evenly in the skillet and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with the remaining 1/3 cup sugar, flour, and salt. Whisk in the milk and vanilla. Pour the batter into the skillet, and place on the center rack in the oven. Bake just until set, about 1 hour. When cooled, remove from the skillet and slice into wedges. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

PLUM CLAFOUTIS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Arrange 2 racks equally spaced in the oven. Place six (6 1/2-inch) individual gratin dishes on 2 sheet pans.
• In a small bowl, combine the vanilla seeds with the 2 teaspoons of sugar. Butter the six gratin dishes well with the butter and sprinkle the dishes with the vanilla and sugar mixture. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs and the 2/3 cup sugar on medium speed, until blended. Lower the speed and add the flour, cream, milk, and Armagnac. Whisk in the star anise and salt just until combined and set aside for 10 minutes. The batter will look like pancake batter.
• Cut the plums in half through the stem, discard the pits, and cut each half in wedges, again cutting through the stem. Distribute half a plum to each gratin dish, placing them in a pinwheel pattern. Distribute the batter evenly in the gratins (the plums will only be half immersed in the batter) and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the custard is just set.
• Sprinkle with the orange zest and serve hot or warm.

PRUNE CLAFOUTIS

Steps:

• Use 1/2 tablespoon butter to grease a 9-inch round shallow ceramic baking dish, like a quiche pan, or a 10-inch ceramic pie plate.
• Place all but 1/2 tablespoon remaining butter in food processor or electric mixer. Process or beat briefly until creamed. Sift together almonds and all but 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar. Add to butter and continue to process or beat until thick and light in color. Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Add whole egg and process or beat well. Transfer to large bowl.
• In a medium-size bowl, vigorously whisk egg yolks and granulated sugar together until creamy. Whisk in remaining cornstarch. Scald milk in saucepan, then add in a thin stream to egg yolk mixture, beating constantly. Transfer mixture back to saucepan and heat, whisking constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat, brush surface with remaining butter and place saucepan in bowl of ice water to cool down the mixture.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. When mixture in saucepan has cooled to room temperature, fold it into almond mixture in bowl. Fold in prunes.
• Spread batter in baking dish and bake about 30 minutes, until top is lightly browned and knife inserted in center comes out clean.
• Transfer to rack and allow to cool about 30 minutes. Sift remaining confectioners' sugar over the surface and serve.

ITALIAN FRESH PRUNE PLUM BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F
• Lightly grease two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Add the orange rind and vanilla.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, cinnamon, cream of tartar and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients and sour cream alternately to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
• Stir in the nuts and plums. Divide the batter between the two loaf pans.
• Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let the pans cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then turn the loaves out of the pans and cool completely on the rack. Makes 2 loaves.
• Lucy Waverman's Cooking School Cookbook.

ROASTED ITALIAN PLUMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss plums in a large bowl with sugar and butter; place cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until plums are cooked through and caramelized, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and serve.