Sophie from London said:
Not wasting food is a question of respect: for the people who produced the food, for those who can't afford food... More
Pineapple and Mint Clafoutis
This is a low fat recipe, as it contains no butter. The sponge is so simple to make as it is made like a batter and is flavoured with vanilla and mint. Use a flame proof frying pan that has a metal handle. Other fruit would also work well such as apples and pears.
Ingredients show imperial units
Serves 4
- ½ pineapple, peeled and sliced
- vanilla extract
- 50g Soft brown sugar
Sugar and Syrups
Try having in stock caster sugar, muscavado, honey and golden syrup
- Once opened ensure they are tightly resealed with quick clips or bag clips.
- If you have got rock-hard brown sugar, crystallised honey/syrup, place in a suitable non-metallic bowl and give a quick blast of about 30 seconds on high in the microwave to bring these back to their normal state.
- 50g Caster sugar
Sugar and Syrups
Try having in stock caster sugar, muscavado, honey and golden syrup
- Once opened ensure they are tightly resealed with quick clips or bag clips.
- If you have got rock-hard brown sugar, crystallised honey/syrup, place in a suitable non-metallic bowl and give a quick blast of about 30 seconds on high in the microwave to bring these back to their normal state.
- 170g Self-raising Flour
Flour
For pastry making or to thicken sauces, soups, stews and casseroles.
- Raising agents are added to plain flour to make self-raising flour, used to lighten and give an airy texture to cakes and sponges.
- Once opened reseal with quick clips or transfer to an airtight container or kilner jar. It will keep for up to 3-4 months
- 2 Eggs
Eggs
Always have some on hand for quick scrambled egg.
- Keep eggs in the fridge in their box and never eat them after their best before date.
- The Health Protection Agency recommends buying Lion branded eggs, which come from vaccinated hens and are therefore less likely to contain salmonella
- 150ml Milk
Milk
organic, full fat, semi-skimmed.
If milk turns sour (and this when it smells or tastes sour not when it has reached the best before date) it is excellent for making scones
- A handful of mint
-
Ground Cinnamon
Cinnamon
Great in buns, cakes, and puddings.
- Add to baked apples or apple pies.
- Break the stick and add to poaching syrup for fruits like pears, plums or bananas or use to infuse wine or punch.
-
Crème fraiche
Crème fraiche
The French version of soured cream, it's twice as rich, and thicker than the British version of sour cream.
- It can be used to lace soups, sauces and stews or it can be spooned over puddings and stirred into sweet dishes. Great for adding to leftovers, as it is quite rich and can withstand being heated.
- Plain full-fat yoghurt can be used instead of crème fraîche in cooking as long as you heat it gently – adding a little cornflour, which can help to prevent it from separating.
- The best crème fraîche comes from a strictly controlled area of Normandy called Isigny-sur-Mer and it’s sold in larger supermarkets in the UK.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) mark 7.
- Place the pineapple slices, sugar and cinnamon into a small, ovenproof non-stick frying pan. Heat gently until the sugar has melted and the pineapple is caramelised.
- Whisk the flour, eggs and milk together in a bowl. Stir in the sugar, vanilla essence and the mint leaves. You should have a thick mixture, the consistency of whipped cream. Add more milk if necessary.
- Pour the mixture onto the pineapple and then transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the sponge is golden and springy to the touch.
- Remove from the oven and turn out onto a plate to serve warm. Cut into portions and serve with crème fraiche.
Health Note
Excellent – Pineapple is a very exotic fruit! The pineapple was first called ‘anana’ a Caribbean word which means ‘excellent fruit’. As well as being very high in Vitamin C, pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain, which helps to break down proteins. Good indicators of ripeness are a fruit that feels heavy for its size with fresh green leaves and most important of all, a sweet, fairly strong fragrance.
