Blueberry-Cardamom Mexican Atole
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Blueberry-Cardamom Mexican Atole An unexpected blueberry-cardamom flavor adds exotic sweetness to atole, Mexico´s traditional warm masa beverage. Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes 4 cups (1 L) water, divided 1/4 tablet (0.8 ounces) (25 grams) Mexican chocolate 1/3 cup (80 mL or 70 grams) sugar 1/4 teaspoon (1 mL or 0.7 grams) McCormick® Gourmet Collection Ground Cardamom 1/2 cup (125 mL or 60 grams) masa harina (instant corn masa flour) 1 2/3 cups (400 mL or 250 grams) blueberries 1. Bring 3 cups (750 mL) of the water and *chocolate to simmer in medium saucepan on medium heat, stirring to melt chocolate. Stir in sugar and cardamom. 2. Place *masa, remaining 1 cup (250 mL) water and blueberries in blender; cover. Blend on high speed until smooth. 3. Stir into chocolate mixture in saucepan. Cook on medium-low heat 8 to 11 minutes or until thickened, whisking occasionally. Sweeten to taste with additional sugar as desired. Serve hot. Makes 5 servings. Test Kitchen Tips: *Mexican chocolate is sweet chocolate flavored with cinnamon and sometimes nutmeg, allspice and nuts. It is used to prepare Mexican hot chocolate and mole. It is packaged in tablet from and is available in Latin markets and some supermarkets under the brand names Abuelita and Ibarra. *Masa harina is the flour made from dried corn kernels that have been soaked in limewater. It is used to prepare corn tortillas, tamales, pupusas and gorditas. It is available in the Latinmarkets or baking aisle of some supermarkets. Spiced Duck Arepas with Blueberry Port Sauce Arepas are lightly fried cornmeal rounds served throughout Latin America in both sweet and savory dishes. In this savory rendition, arepas are topped with sliced duck breast and a blueberry and Port sauce. Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 50 minutes Spiced Duck: 1 teaspoon (5 mL or 2.5 grams) McCormick® Gourmet Collection Ancho Chile Pepper 1 teaspoon (5 mL or 2.5 grams) McCormick® Gourmet Collection Ground Cardamom 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL or 2.5 grams) McCormick® Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt 1/4 teaspoon (1 mL or 0.5 grams) McCormick® Coarse Ground Black Pepper 1 boneless duck breast half, with skin (about 1 pound) (454 grams) Blueberry Port Sauce: 1/2 cup (125 mL or 165 grams) blueberry jam or preserves 1/2 cup (125 mL) Port 1 tablespoon (15 mL or 10 grams) finely chopped onion 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL or 1.5 grams) McCormick® Gourmet Collection Ground Cardamom 1/4 teaspoon (1 mL or 0.5 grams) McCormick® Coarse Ground Black Pepper 2 tablespoons (30 mL or 28 grams) butter 1 teaspoon (5mL) lemon juice Arepas: 1/2 cup (125 mL) water 1/2 cup (125 mL or 80 grams) white cornmeal 1/2 cup (125 mL or 60 grams) masa harina (instant corn masa flour) 8 tablespoons (125 mL or 112 grams) butter, divided 1/4 teaspoon(1 mL or 1 gram) McCormick® Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt Cilantro leaves and thin strips of lemon peel (for garnish) 1. For the Spiced Duck, mix ancho chile pepper, cardamom, sea salt and pepper in small bowl. Score skin of duck with diagonal cuts. Rub both sides of duck breast with spice rub. Heat medium skillet on medium-low heat. Add duck breast, skin-side down. Cook 15 to 20 minutes or until some fat has melted and skin is browned. Turn duck breast; cook 8 to 11 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 135°F (60°C) for medium-rare.Remove duck from skillet. Set aside. 2. Strain duck fat, reserving 2 tablespoons (30 mL). Wipe skillet clean. Add reserved duck fat, blueberry jam, Port, onion, cardamom and pepper to skillet. Cook on medium heat 7 to 9 minutes or until reduced, stirring occasionally. Add butter; whisk until sauce is thickened. Whisk in lemon juice. With center part of cover removed to let steam escape, puree sauce in blender on high speed until smooth. Set aside. 3. For the Arepas, mix water, cornmeal, *masa harina, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of the butter, melted, and sea salt in medium bowl until well blended. Divide mixture into 8 portions. Form each into a ball then flatten into a disk, about 2 1/2-inches (6 cm) in diameter and 1/4-inch (0.5 cm) thick. Melt 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of the remaining butter in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add arepas; cook 5 to 6 minutes per side or until golden brown. Add remaining 3 tablespoons (45 mL) butter as necessary. Transfer arepas to parchment paper-lined baking pan. Bake arepas in preheated 350°F (180°C, Gas Mark 4) oven 4 to 5 minutes or until cooked through. 4. To serve, slice duck breast into thin slices. Place 1 to 2 slices on each arepa. Top with Blueberry Port Sauce. Garnish with cilantro leaf and lemon peel. Makes 8 appetizer servings. Test Kitchen Tip: *Masa harina is the flour made from dried corn kernels that have been soaked in limewater. It is used to prepare corn tortillas, tamales, pupusas and gorditas. It is available in the Latinmarkets or baking aisle of some supermarkets. Dessert Tamale with Blueberry Cardamom Sauce Lining individual ramekins with corn husks gives this dish authentic tamale flavor without the time- consuming preparation. Finish these dessert “tamales” with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of Blueberry Cardamom Sauce. Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Dessert Tamale: 10 dried corn husks, soaked overnight 1 cup (240 mL) half-and-half 1 cup (240 mL) milk 2/3 cup (160 mL or 80 grams) masa harina (instant corn masa flour) 1/2 cup (120 mL or 100 grams) sugar 2 tablespoons (30 mL or 30 grams) butter 4 large eggs, separated Blueberry Cardamom Sauce: 2 cups (480 mL or 300 grams) blueberries 1 cup (240 mL or 200 grams) sugar 1/4 cup (60 mL) water 3 tablespoons (45 mL or 24 grams) cornstarch 2 tablespoons (30 mL) lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL or 1.5 grams) McCormick® Gourmet Collection Ground Cardamom 1 pint (500 mL or 410 grams) vanilla ice cream 1. For the Dessert Tamale, place 10 (6-ounce) (180 mL) ramekins on large shallow baking sheet. Line each ramekin with a corn husk. Set aside. Mix half-and-half, milk, *masa harina, sugar and butter in medium saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to boil on medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 2 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes or until slightly cooled. 2. Beat egg yolks in small bowl. Stir into masa mixture. Beat egg whites in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Stir 1/3 of the egg whites into masa mixture until well mixed. Gently stir in remaining egg whites. Spoon about 1/2 cup (120 mL) masa mixture into each ramekin. 3. Bake in preheated 350°F (180°C, Gas Mark 4) oven 35 minutes or until top is golden brown and center is slightly loose. (Knife inserted into center comes out clean.) Meanwhile, for the Blueberry Cardamom Sauce, mix all ingredients in medium saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to boil on medium heat and boil 1 minute until thickened. Remove from heat. 4. Remove ramekins from oven. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. (Tamales will deflate in center upon standing.) Place a small scoop ice cream in center of each tamale. Spoon about 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of Blueberry Cardamom Sauce over ice cream. Serve immediately. Makes 10 servings. Test Kitchen Tip: *Masa harina is the flour made from dried corn kernels that have been soaked in limewater. It is used to prepare corn tortillas, tamales, pupusas and gorditas. It is available in the Latinmarkets or baking aisle of some supermarkets. Dried corn husks can also be found in Latin markets. .