Puddings and Custards

Pressure Cooker Mango Sticky Rice

1 cup white sticky rice
1 1/2 cups water see notes
1 ripe mango
1 cup canned coconut milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 pandan leaf knotted (optional)
White and/or black sesame seeds optional

Add 2 cups of water in Instant Pot inner pot. Put the trivet in there. Rinse the sticky rice in water briefly. Drain off water. Place the rice in heat-proof glass or stainless steel bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups water to cover the rice. Give it a quick stir and make sure all rice is submerged in water. Place this on top of the trivet. Close the lid, steam release handle to sealed. Press pressure cook and set to high pressure and use -/+ to set the time to 15 minutes.

When the sticky rice is done cooking, I waited for about 10 minutes and make sure that the float valve is down. Then turn the steam handle to venting. Once the steam is all out and stops hissing, open the lid carefully. The sticky rice should be soft and sticky. Remove from Instant Pot and pour half of the coconut sauce on the sticky rice while the rice is still warm and stir to mix. It may seem wet at this point. Cover to let the rice absorbs the coconut sauce.

While the sticky rice is cooking, pour 1 cup of the coconut milk in a saucepan, add sugar, salt, and pandan leaves in. Let it gently simmer for about 5 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Do not boil the coconut milk. Remove the pandan leaves (if using) and use your spoon to squeeze out last few drops of coconut milk from the leaves if any.

CUTTING THE MANGO:
Peel the mango and cut in small cubes. You can use this hedgehog method for easier cutting: Slice both mangoes down either side of the stone. Take each half and score a crisscross pattern about 2 cm down through the flesh, stopping at the skin. Turn the skin inside out so the mango pieces pop up. Trim the skin off the middle bit where the stone is, then cut them into cubes as well so you are not throwing any extra flesh away.

PUTTING THEM TOGETHER:
Serve with cubes of mango, sprinkle with sesame seeds and coconut sauce on the sides for more drizzling.

RECIPE NOTES:
The amount of water may vary slightly depending on the kind of sticky rice. You may need to cut back the water to 1 to 1 1/4 cups if the result is too mushy to your liking.

Bread Pudding (with Variations)

1/2-large (2-pound) loaf challah bread, torn into 1½–2-inch pieces (about 8 cups)
1 3-inch cinnamon stick
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 3-inch strip orange zest
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted, divided, plus more for pan
1 large egg
2 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons raw sugar
1/4 cup sliced almonds (optional)

Preheat oven to 300°. Spread torn bread on a rimmed baking sheet and bake, tossing halfway through and reducing oven temperature if bread is getting too golden, until pieces are very dry and slightly toasted, 25–35 minutes. (Dry bread will absorb the custard without disintegrating, which is why this step is important.) Let cool, then transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, heat cinnamon, vanilla bean, cream, milk, granulated sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high. As soon as mixture starts to boil (watch closely or milk will boil over top of pot!), remove from heat. Whisk in orange zest and 2 Tbsp. butter and let steep 30 minutes. Pluck out and discard cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, and orange zest.

Brush a 1½–2-qt. baking dish with butter. Pour milk mixture into a blender. Add egg and egg yolks and blend, starting on low and increasing speed to high, until mixture is light and foamy, 20–30 seconds. Pour over reserved bread and toss to coat. Scrape into prepared pan. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill at least 3 hours and up to 12; this gives bread time to evenly soak up custard.

Arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 300°. Brush remaining 2 Tbsp. butter over cold bread pieces. Sprinkle with raw sugar, then top with almonds, if using. Bake bread pudding until lightly golden, puffed, pulling away from edges of pan, and butter is bubbling, 30–40 minutes. Let cool 1 hour before serving.

Do Ahead: Bread pudding can be made 1 day ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

For Chocolate Bread Pudding

Add 6 oz. chopped bittersweet chocolate (70% cacao or higher) and 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder to scalded milk mixture instead of butter and whisk until melted and smooth.

When ready to bake, top bread pudding with 1 oz. chopped bittersweet chocolate. Sprinkle with raw sugar, then top with ¼ cup chopped pecans instead of almonds. Bake as directed.

For Coconut Bread Pudding

Add one 13.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk instead of heavy cream to whole milk mixture. As soon as mixture bubbles, remove from heat and whisk in 2 Tbsp. virgin coconut oil instead of butter and a strip of lime zest instead of orange. Let steep 30 minutes. Pluck out and discard cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, and lime zest.

Brush baking dish with 2 Tbsp. melted virgin coconut oil instead of butter. Brush 2 Tbsp. melted virgin coconut oil instead of butter over cold bread pieces. Sprinkle with raw sugar, then top with 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes instead of almonds. Bake as directed.

From Bon Appetit

Rice Pudding

Boozy Fruit:

1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons dark rum
2 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 cup raisins, dried cherries, or chopped dried apricots

Rice Pudding

4 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup arborio or sushi rice
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
1 1” piece orange peel
Kosher salt
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 large egg yolk

Boozy Fruit

Combine brown sugar, rum, orange juice, and a splash of water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved, about 4 minutes. Stir in dried fruit and cook until liquid is syrupy, about 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and let cool.

Rice Pudding

Combine milk, rice, cream, sugar, cinnamon sticks, orange peel, and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add pod. Bring to a rapid simmer, stirring occasionally to ensure mixture doesn’t stick to pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally and scraping all the way down to the bottom of the pot to make sure mixture doesn’t stick or scorch, until rice is tender and mixture is thickened, 20–25 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes. Discard vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks, and orange peel. Quickly and thoroughly stir in egg yolk until completely incorporated. Keep pudding warm, covered, or let cool, then cover and transfer to the refrigerator to chill completely. Serve warm or chilled, topped with boozy fruit.

DO AHEAD: Rice pudding and boozy fruit can be made up to 2 days ahead. Reheat pudding over medium heat, with a splash of milk or cream.

From Bon Appetit

Maple-Bourbon Banana Pudding Cake

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup superfine sugar
1 overripe banana, mashed
1 large egg
1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons bourbon
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Preheat the oven to 375°. In a deep, 2-quart baking or soufflé dish, melt the butter in the microwave. Whisk in the superfine sugar and banana, mashing until thoroughly combined. Whisk in the egg and milk.

In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt; whisk into the baking dish until combined (the batter will be pretty loose).

In a microwave-safe cup, heat the maple syrup, light brown sugar and 1/2 cup of hot water at high power until hot, 1 minute. Add the bourbon. Drizzle the syrup mixture over the batter; it will seep to the bottom. Do not stir. Scatter the pecans on top.

Set the dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes, until the cake is golden. Let cool for 5 minutes, then scoop into bowls and serve with ice cream.

Sweet Potato Bebinca

2 to 3 medium to large sweet potatoes (1 1/4 pounds total)
6 tablespoons/85 grams unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the pan
6 large eggs
1 cup/200 grams grated jaggery, muscovado, panela or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup/60 milliliters maple syrup
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 (13.5-ounce/400-milliliter) can full-fat coconut milk
1 cup/130 grams all-purpose flour

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Rinse the sweet potatoes to remove any dirt, pat them dry with paper towels and poke several holes in them with a fork. Put the potatoes in a baking dish or on baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Roast until completely tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Cool completely before handling. Peel the sweet potatoes, discard the skins, and purée the flesh in a food processor. Measure out 1 2/3 cups/400 grams and set aside, saving the rest for another purpose. (The sweet potatoes may be roasted one day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.)

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Line the bottom of a 9-inch round baking pan with 2-inch sides with parchment paper and grease lightly with butter. Put the pan on a baking sheet. In a large bowl, whisk together the cooled sweet potato purée, melted butter, eggs, sugar, maple syrup, nutmeg, turmeric and salt until smooth. Add the coconut milk and flour and whisk until the mixture is smooth, with no visible streaks of flour.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and put the pan, still on the baking sheet, in the oven. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through. The pudding should be firm to the touch in the center and light golden brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Wrap the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate to set for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.

Once the bebinca has set, run a sharp knife around the sides of the pan, flip the pan onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and tap gently to release. Peel the parchment off the top. Invert onto a serving dish, and peel off the second sheet of parchment paper.

To serve, use a sharp serrated knife to cut the chilled bebinca into wedges. Store the leftover bebinca, wrapped in plastic wrap, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Caramel Apple Pudding Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup brown sugar packed
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbsp butter melted
1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup thinly sliced apples

Sauce:
1 cup brown sugar packed
1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups boiling waterh
1 Tbsp butter softened
2 tsp vanilla
Generous pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Make the pudding batter: In a medium bowl, mix together the the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

In a small bowl, mix together the milk, melted butter and vanilla.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir to combine well.

Spread batter in to the bottom of an 8-cup baking dish or divide between 4-6 individual baking dishes. (*If using individual dishes, you may want to place dishes on a baking sheet, for easy transport to the oven, and to catch any splatters.)

Arrange a layer of apple slices on top of batter.

Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl or a 4 cup measuring cup, mix together the brown sugar and flour. Add the boiling water, the butter,vanilla and salt. Stir to combine and until butter melts. Gently pour over batter, being sure to leave 3/4-1 inch of room at the top of the baking dish.

Bake in pre-heated 350° oven for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick in centre comes out clean when inserted in the top cake part. Pudding will have formed a cake-like top with lots of sauce underneath. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then enjoy warm. Lovely as is, or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Peach Bread Pudding with Warm Brown Sugar Sauce

Bread Pudding:
1/2 a loaf of day-old unsliced bakery bread
3-4 peaches, peeled and sliced
3 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla or vanilla bean paste
4 tsp white sugar, for topping

Brown Sugar Sauce:
1/4 cup salted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
pinch salt

Preheat oven to 350° and grease 4 individual dishes or an 8×8-inch baking pan. Set on to a baking sheet and set aside.

Peel peaches and cut in to slices. Set aside.

Slice bread in to thin 3/4-inch slices or cube. If using slices, you’ll want your bread pieces to be about an inch higher than the height of your baking dish, so figure out how tall they should be and cut off the bottom of the slices to that height. (*You won’t need the part you cut off the bottom, but you can use them by cutting them in to cubes and making some croutons with them!). Then cut each of the trimmed slices in half from top to bottom to make two pieces. Set aside.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1/2 cup white sugar, cream, milk and vanilla.

Place your bread slices in to your baking dishes (or disby slightly overlapping them (crust side facing the side of the disand allowing them to tilt back a bit. If using cubes, place in your dish or dishes.

Place some peach slices in the gaps between the bread. Pour some of the egg mixture over the bread and in to the dishes, just until it reaches the top edge of the dish or until it nears but doesn’t cover the top of the bread.

Allow to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes, then top up with remaining egg mixture, just until it reaches the edge of the dish again or near the top of the bread. You may not need it all.

Lightly brush the top of the bread with a bit of the egg mixture, then sprinkle a heaped 1 tsp. of white sugar over the top of each dish, especially on the top crust edge.

Place dishes on baking sheet (to catch any overflow!) in to preheated 350° oven and bake for about 35 minutes, or until golden and set. (*You may want to check at 25-30 minutes in case it’s browning too quickly, in which case, just lay a sheet of aluminum foil over top while it finishes baking.

Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before eating. If not eating right away, allow to cool for 10 minutes, then cover and refrigerate.

While puddings are baking, make the brown sugar sauce by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, cream and a pinch of salt and stir to combine.

Allow to come to a boil, stirring regularly. Once it comes to a boil, cook another few minutes, stirring regularly, then remove from heat and pour in to a bowl or pitcher.

Cover and refrigerate if not using right away. Can be re-warmed in the microwave/saucepan to serve.

Serve puddings at warm, at room temperature or slightly re-warmed in the microwave, topped with warm brown sugar sauce (*You’ll want to place your small dishes on a plate, as the brown sugar sauce will most likely spill over the sides when poured on top).

Coconut Pandan Chia Seed Pudding

Ingredients
1/2 cup chia seeds
1.5 cups hot water
14 ounce full fat coconut milk canned
1/2 teaspoon Pandan extract
1/3 cup sweetener or sugar

Mix the hot water in with the chia seeds. Using hot water causes the chia seeds to absorb the water and swell much faster than tap water–which means your pudding will be done sooner and you can eat sooner!

I mean, that’s really the only thing you need to know. Other than that, mix everything together, and let it chill.

The chia will make it gel and set into a pudding, and coconut milk will make it creamy, and the pandan will make it delicious.

Pressure Cooker Carrot Halwa

2 tablespoons ghee
2 tablespoons raisins
2 tablespoons cashews, raw and unroasted
2 cups carrots, shredded
1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup Splenda, Truvia or sugar
2 tablespoons cashew flour (you do this to add a little thickness to the milk)
1/4 teaspoon powdered cardamom

Melt ghee in your Instant Pot, and then add the cashews and raisins. Fry them until the cashews are golden brown.

Add all other ingredients except cardamom and cook at High Pressure for 10 minutes. Let it release pressure naturally.

Open up the lid and do not freak out at the curdled milk. It will homogenize shortly. Just stir it up really well.

Smoosh the carrots together a bit, and cook on Sauté for a few minutes to thicken the mixture.

Add the cardamom and let it rest for a while to thicken up. This can be eaten hot, cold, or at room temperature.

Feel free to pour in a little heavy cream or half and half if you’re trying to add fat to your diet–or taste to your life.

Pressure Cooker Cannoli Cream Rice Pudding

2 1/2 to 3 cups whole milk
1 to 2 cups water
3/4 cup arborio rice
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon anise seed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup diced candied lemon peel or orange peel

Combine 2 1/2 cups of the milk, 1 cup of the water, the rice, sugar, butter, the anise seed (to taste) and the salt in the pot. Lock the lid onto the machine and bring to high pressure (9 to 11 psi). Cook at high pressure for 15 minutes. Turn off the machine or unplug it to allow the pressure to come back to normal naturally, about 20 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.

Whisk together the egg, egg yolk, cream and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until creamy and light. Slowly whisk in about 1 1/2 cups of the hot rice pudding, until smooth, then return that tempered mixture to the remaining rice pudding in the pot. If the mixture seems too thick, add the remaining milk and/or water as needed. Stir in the candied lemon or orange peel. Partially cover and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. (The pudding will thicken a bit further.)

NOTE: For a stove-top pressure cooker, follow the directions for the electric cooker but cook at high pressure (15 psi) for 10 minutes, followed by a natural release (about 10 minutes). Continue with the recipe as written.

Pressure Cooker Pandan Custard

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
3 eggs
1/3 cup sweetener of choice
3-4 drops pandan extract
Green food coloring (optional)

Blend together the eggs, milk, sweetener and the pandan extract, and pour it into a 6-inch heatproof bowl. Cover with foil.

Place 2 cups of water into your liner, place a trivet in the liner, and place your bowl onto the trivet.

Cook at high pressure for 30 minutes and let it release pressure naturally. A knife inserted into the custard should come out clean.

Cool in refrigerator until the custard is set.

Chocolate Cherry Mousse

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
2 tablespoons cherry brandy or kirsch
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 or 3 tablespoons sugar, as needed
2 large eggs

In a heavy-based saucepan, combine chocolate, cherry brandy or kirsch, butter and corn syrup. Add 2 tablespoons sugar if using cherry brandy, 3 tablespoons sugar if using kirsch. Melt over very low heat, then scrape into a bowl and allow to cool a little.

Separate eggs, and whisk whites until soft peaks form. Beat yolks into cooled chocolate mixture, then gently mix in a dollop of egg whites to lighten mixture. Carefully fold remaining whites into chocolate mixture, taking care to keep mousse airy.

Spoon mousse into two wine glasses. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours before serving.

Dark Chocolate Pudding

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
5 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 quart half-and-half
One 3.5-ounce bar bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Lightly sweetened whipped cream and sliced candied ginger, for serving

In a medium bowl, sift together the sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt.

In a large saucepan, add the half-and-half and whisk in the cocoa-powder mixture. Cook over moderate heat, whisking, until the pudding starts to bubble and thicken, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the bittersweet chocolate and vanilla.

Pour the pudding into 6-ounce ramekins and let cool, then cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

Top each pudding with whipped cream and candied ginger and serve.

Mango Fool

1 cup pureed mango
1/2 cup whole milk yogurt
3/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
Kosher salt

In a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup of the pureed mango and yogurt. In a separate bowl, whisk the cream with the sugar and salt until it just hold stiff peaks. Fold the cream into the mango mixture. Divide the fool between 4 (4-to 5-ounce) glasses and chill until stiff, 1 hour. Divide the reserved 4 tablespoons mango puree between the glasses and serve.

Silky Chocolate Custard

1/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons sugar
1 large egg yolk
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped, plus shaved chocolate, for serving
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup heavy cream
Pinch of ground cinnamon

In a small saucepan, combine the milk and 2 tablespoons of the sugar and heat until steaming and the sugar is dissolved. Put the egg yolk in a small bowl and gradually whisk in the hot milk. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over moderate heat, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

Off the heat, add the chopped chocolate and salt and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the butter. Pour the custard into 2 shallow bowls and refrigerate briefly, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat the heavy cream with the cinnamon and the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar until softly whipped. Dollop the cream on the custards, sprinkle the chocolate shavings on the cream and serve.

MAKE AHEAD
The chocolate custards can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated overnight. Serve the custards chilled or at room temperature.

White Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry Compote

For the mousse:

8 ounces chopped white chocolate or white chocolate chips
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon sugar

For the raspberry purée:

2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon framboise liqueur
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Fresh mint, for garnish (optional)

Chill the mixer bowl and whisk attachment. Melt white chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl in the microwave on low power setting in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth and completely melted. Set aside. (Alternatively, use a double boiler.)

Place heavy cream and sugar in the chilled bowl and whisk on high-speed until stiff peaks form.

By hand, fold in 1/4 of the whipped cream into the melted white chocolate until smooth and completely incorporated. Add the combined whipped cream and chocolate to the remaining whipped cream and use a rubber spatula to fold together.

Purée or mash berries with the honey, lemon juice, and liqueur.

Layer berries between layers of mousse; fold lightly into mousse for a marbled effect; or drizzle berries over top in pretty glass cups or dishes. They all look and taste terrific.

A fresh mint leaf makes this really pop.

Food 52 suggested a blueberry compote on some for a red,white, and blue July 4 dessert.

Golden Milk Panna Cotta

1 cup low fat milk
1 envelope (7 grams) gelatin
1 1/2 tablespoons ground turmeric
3 cups cream
1/8 teaspoon (I use fine sea salt)
1/16 teaspoon finely ground black pepper (3-4 grinds from a pepper mill set on the finest setting)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (125 grams) honey (orange blossom, clover or wildflower rather than a strong or dark honey or woody flavored honey)
A cinnamon stick, optional for grating
A whole (or piece of) nutmeg, option for grating
8 pretty dessert glasses or martini glasses (we are not unmolding this panna cotta)

Pour the milk into small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over the surface. Let the gelatin soften (without stirring) for at least 5 minutes or until needed.

Meanwhile, put the turmeric into a medium saucepan and stir in a tablespoon of the cream to form a smooth paste.

Stir in the remaining cream, salt, pepper, and honey. Stir over medium heat until the honey is dissolved and the mixture is steaming hot—but don’t let it simmer.

Remove the pan from the heat. Add the milk and gelatin and stir well to dissolve the gelatin. Pour the mixture into a bowl and set the bowl into a large bowl of ice and water. Let the mixture cool in the ice bath, stirring and scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl thoroughly (with a rubber or silicon spatula) from time to time to equalize the temperature and prevent the mix from setting against the cold surface of the bowl.

When the mixture has thickened (at about 50° F, but not set, remove the bowl from the ice water. Wipe the bottom of the bowl to avoid dripping water, and pour the mixture into the glasses, dividing it equally.

Cover and refrigerate the panna cotta for several hours and as long at 2 days before serving. It will be quite wobbly, just set enough to be thick and luxurious on the tongue. Use a micro plane grater to grate a little cinnamon and/or nutmeg over each serving.

Cherry Clafoutis

1 1/4 pounds (570 grams) sweet cherries
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup (65 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon almond extract (otpional)
1/2 cup (100 grams) plus 3 tablespoons (38 grams) sugar, divided
1 1/3 cups (330 milliliters) milk
Softened butter, for preparing the baking dish

Heat the oven to 375° F (190° C). Grease a 2-quart shallow baking dish liberally with butter.

Stem and pit the cherries and lay them in a single layer in the baking dish.

Working with a stand blender or an immersion blender and a bowl, blend the eggs, flour, extracts, 1/2 cup sugar, and milk together until smooth.

Pour the batter over the cherries and sprinkle with remaining 3 tablespoons sugar.

Bake the clafoutis until the custard is just set; a knife poked in the center should emerge relatively clean after about 45 minutes.

Serve the clafoutis warm, at room temperature or cold. It can be made up to a day in advance and refrigerated overnight.

Chocolate Mousse

3 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
pinches salt
2 1/2 teaspoons sugar, divided
3/4 cup heavy cream, chilled

Melt the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl placed over a small pot of simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Remove bowl from water, add the egg yolks, and whisk until smooth.

Using an electric beater, beat the egg whites and a pinch of salt until you have soft peaks. Gradually add 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, beating constantly, until whites are glossy with medium-firm peaks.

Use a spatula to fold 1/4 of the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Then fold the remaining whites into the chocolate until just incorporated, being careful not to overmix or deflate the mixture.

Divide mousse among 4 bowls. Cover and chill until set, about 4 hours (and up to 1 day in advance).

When ready to serve, beat the cream with the remaining teaspoon of sugar until soft peaks form. Spoon over mousse, sprinkle with chocolate shavings, and eat.

Steamed Egg Pudding

120ml fresh milk
2 Tbs sugar
2 Tbs juice from grated old ginger
2 medium-sized eggs, beaten
Wolfberries and mint leaves to garnish

In a microwave, warm a bowl of fresh milk for about 20 seconds.

Stir sugar into the milk.

Add grated ginger juice and beaten eggs into the milk mixture. Mix well and strain the mixture.

Cover the bowl in plastic wrap.

Fill a third of a medium-sized pot with water and place the bowl of milk and egg mixture on a pot stand. Ensure the base of the bowl does not touch the water.

Bring the water to a boil before turning the heat down to medium.

Steam the milk and egg mixture for about 12 minutes. Lift the lid every four to five minutes to release steam.

Remove the bowl of steamed egg pudding carefully. To check if it is ready, shake the bowl slightly. The wobbly pudding should jiggle.

9. Garnish with wolfberries and mint leaves. Serve.

Serves one