6 days ago
Blueberry almond clafoutis is an ideal treat for dessert emergencies
If you've ever rifled through your kitchen searching for something — anything — sweet to eat but come up empty-handed, you understand the notion of a dessert emergency. I have experienced many, but didn't have a name for it until I stumbled on Nigella Lawson's recipe for a small-batch fudgy 'emergency' brownies, which use ingredients most people likely have on hand and come together quickly.
The concept was so helpful that I started brainstorming other possibilities and found clafoutis to be an ideal remedy for an urgently needed dessert.
Get the recipe: Blueberry Almond Clafoutis
The fruity, custardy French dish is made with a simple, pourable batter containing staple ingredients such as milk, eggs and flour. It takes minimal effort to pull together, and it's ready to eat in about an hour. This version uses almond flour, so it also happens to be gluten-free.
The batter couldn't be easier: After beating eggs and milk with a little honey, you stir in the almond flour, a touch of cardamom and salt. (Don't use almond meal, which has a coarser texture.) Pour enough of the batter into a buttered dish to cover the bottom, and bake until it is just set. Then scatter a generous helping of fresh blueberries on top of that firmer layer — which keeps the berries from sinking to the bottom of the pan — pour the rest of the batter on top, sprinkle with sliced almonds and return the pan to the oven.
As the clafoutis bakes, it fills your kitchen with an enticing aroma, as well as the anticipation of satisfying a craving in a healthful way. The eggy pancake, studded with warm berries, fragrant with cardamom and crunchy with almonds delivers a gently sweet treat that can solve a dessert emergency with very little effort.
Get the recipe: Blueberry Almond Clafoutis
