Hot In The City

It's hot in the city. Time to put away those Coq au Vin and Boeuf Bourguignon recipes for a while to make cooler, fresher dishes. Desserts containing springtime fruits can end a meal with a lighter touch than the dense chocolate ones I love in the winter. Keeping with this menu concept, I put together a dinner for some friends to combat the heat.

Blackened Cod with Cool Couscous Salad, Thai Vinaigrette, and Roasted Peanuts.

Blackberry Clafoutis

Blackberry Clafoutis:

1T Butter, unsalted

140g Sugar

3 Eggs

60g Flour

285g Milk

15ml Cognac, or Rum

1t Vanilla extract

2 Pinches of salt

Zest of 1 lemon

Blackberries

Preheat your oven to 180C, or about 350F.

Butter a 9" pie pan and set aside. Next, cream together the sugar with the eggs. Whisk in the flour, milk, alcohol of choice, vanilla, salt, and lemon zest. Pour the batter into the buttered pie pan and arrange the blackberries sporadically. Place it into the oven and cook 35-45 minutes, or until the custard is set and slightly browned on top. Remove it from the oven and allow to cool before cutting. It can be eaten at room temperature, or cooled in the fridge. You can also dust it with powdered sugar before eating if you desire.

Song Suggestion: Hot In The City - Billy Idol