Glace Aux Pruneaux Recipes

GLACE AUX PRUNEAUX

Steps:

• Ten days before you plan to serve the ice cream, combine the prunes and Armagnac in a covered container. Set aside.
• To make the ice cream, remove six prunes from the container. Set aside. Place the remaining prunes and Armagnac in a food processor or blender. Process to a coarse puree. Set aside. Combine the milk with 2/3 cup of the sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat. Set aside.
• Beat the remaining sugar with the egg yolks until the mixture is pale yellow and thick. Slowly whisk 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into yolks. Pour the hot custard into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches 175 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Set aside until cool. Add the prune puree. Refrigerate until chilled. Pour into the bowl of an ice-cream maker and proceed as directed. Scoop the ice cream into individual bowls and garnish with the reserved prunes.

TARTE AUX PRUNEAUX (PRUNE TART --GASCOGNY)

Steps:

• To make the crust.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
• Cut in the butter, mixing with your finger tips or a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Add the water, drops at a time, until dough forms--add no more water than absolutely necessary.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a disc to fit at ten or ten and a half inch tart mold.
• Lay the dough over the mold and gently press it into place on the bottom and sides.
• Remove any excess dough and refrigerate the tart mold for at least one hour.
• To make the Filling:.
• Place the prunes in a bowl and cover with hot water; add the lemon juice and allow prunes to stand for about half an hour or until plumped.
• Drain and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar and beat until light and fluffy -- do not under-beat.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating continuously.
• Fold in the flour and the ground almonds and mix gently but well.
• Pour this mixture into the prepared tart mold, smooth the top with a spatula, and arrange the prunes on top.
• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the surface turns golden brown.
• Remove from over and pour the Armagnac over the tart.
• Cool for a few minutes, then brush the top with the warm apricot preserves to glaze.
• Serve at room temperature.
• Note: If the edges of your tart brown too quickly place a ring of foil over the crust.