Spiked Blackberry Coulis Recipes

BERRY COULIS

Steps:

• Combine the berries, sugar, lemon juice, salt and 1 tablespoon water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the berries begin to give off their juice, 1 to 2 minutes. Adjust the heat so the sauce is simmering rapidly and cook until the berries have broken down, 4 to 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on the solids to extract as much of the sauce as possible. Serve the sauce cold or at room temperature.

DARK CHOCOLATE TORTE WITH SPIKED BLACKBERRY COULIS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush 9-inch-diameter springform pan with margarine; line bottom with parchment. Stir 1 2/3 cups chocolate chips and 3/4 cup margarine in medium saucepan over low heat until smooth. Whisk in cocoa and espresso. Cool 10 minutes.
• Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar in large bowl on high speed until thick, about 6 minutes. Fold in chocolate mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake torte until dry and cracked on top and tester inserted into center comes out with some moist batter attached, about 42 minutes. Cool in pan on rack 1 hour (center will fall). Using spatula, press raised edges so top is level. Cut around pan sides; remove sides. Place plate atop torte and invert onto plate. Remove pan bottom; peel off paper, and cool torte completely.
• Stir remaining 1 cup (6 ounces) chocolate and 1/4 cup margarine in small saucepan over low heat until smooth (do not overheat). Whisk in 2 tablespoons blackberry coulis. Cool glaze 15 minutes. Pour glaze into center of torte. Smooth top with spatula, allowing some of glaze to drip down sides. Refrigerate uncovered until glaze is set, about 1 hour. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)
• Cut torte into wedges; spoon coulis alongside. Garnish with mint and berries, if desired.

BLACKBERRY COULIS

Steps:

• Combine blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice in the bowl of a small food processor. Blend until smooth and sugar has dissolved, 15 to 20 seconds. Adjust sugar if desired, and blend again.
• Strain mixture using a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds. Refrigerate until ready to use.

QUICK BLACKBERRY COULIS

Steps:

• Rinse and drain blackberries. Place into a bowl. Add sugar and mix well. Let sit for 30 minutes to allow sugar to draw out blackberry juice.
• Mix in lemon juice and begin to mash berries. Mash by hand with a fork or potato ricer, or puree in a food processor. If desired, strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds. Serve warm or cold.