Saturday, August 1, 2009

Red Potatoes Provencal

3 TBS olive oil
2 lbs. small red potatoes, scrubbed, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
fresh ground multi-colored peppercorns

1/2 c. fresh basil, shredded

Preheat oven to 350.

Pour olive oil into 3 qt. ceramic casserole dish. Grind in about 1/4-1/2 tsp. peppercorns. Add potatoes, onion, garlic & red pepper. Toss well to coat with oil. Cover & bake for 50 minutes, occasionally tossing for even cooking.

Remove from oven. Lightly toss in fresh basil to combine. Serve immediately.

Chocolate Volcano Cake

6 oz. Ghirardelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate baking chips
6 oz. butter (10 TBS), diced, room temperature
3 large eggs
1/2 c. granulated Sugar
1/3 c. flour

Citrus Creme Anglaise

fresh raspberries

Preheat oven to 350. Butter 4 individual 4-inch ramekins.

Melt chocolate in microwave in small mixing bowl, stirring until completely smooth. Stir in butter until it completely melted & combined. Allow to cool slightly.

In medium mixing bowl, beat eggs & sugar, until frothy & light. Stir in melted chocolate until thoroughly combined. Add the flour & mix in completely, leaving no lumps.

Pour chocolate batter into ramekins. Bake for 15 minutes. Prepare dessert plates by spooning 1/4 c. Citrus Creme Anglaise in center of plate, allow to spread.

Remove ramekins from oven, tip upside down onto dessert plates with Creme Anglaise Sauce, top with raspberries. Serve warm.

Citrus Creme Anglaise

1 c milk
1 strip fresh clementine (or lemon) peel, about 2 inches long x 1/2 inch wide
(optional: 1 inch slice fresh ginger, peeled & slivered)

1 large egg
2 TBS sugar
1 1/2 tsp all-purpose flour

In small saucepan, heat milk, citrus peel and ginger over medium heat until hot, stirring often. Remove from heat & let stand 30 minutes. Reheat until very warm.

In small bowl, whisk together egg, sugar & flour until smooth. Remove citrus peel & ginger pieces from milk & discard. Gradually whisk hot milk into egg mixture, then transfer back to saucepan.

Cook over slowly over low heat, stirring constantly until temperature reaches 170°, 5 to 10 minutes, and until thickened enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. (Do not let boil.) Pour custard into a bowl and cover surface with plastic wrap. Chill until cold.