Toasted Coconut Crêpe Cups With Pineapple à La Mode Recipes

TOASTED COCONUT CRêPE CUPS WITH PINEAPPLE à LA MODE

Steps:

• Make 6 crêpes (procedure follows) with the toasted coconut crêpe batter. Fit the crêpes into 1/2-cup muffin tins and put a ball of foil in the center of each cup to keep the crêpes open. Bake the cups in a preheated 400°F. oven for 4 minutes, remove the foil, and bake the cups for 6 to 8 minutes more, or until they are crisp.
• In a skillet sauté the pineapple in the butter over moderately high heat, stirring, for 3 minutes, add the rum carefully, and boil the mixture for 3 minutes. Put a scoop of vanilla ice cream in each crêpe cup, spoon some of the pineapple sauce over it, and sprinkle the tops with the toasted coconut.
• To make toasted coconut crêpe batter:
• In a blender or food processor blend the flour, the sugar, 1/2 cup water, the milk, the egg, the butter, the salt, and the almond extract for 5 seconds. Turn off the motor, with a rubber spatula scrape down the sides of the container, and blend the batter for 20 seconds more. Transfer the batter to a bowl, stir in the coconut, and let the batter stand, covered, for 1 hour. The batter may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Makes enough batter for about 6 crêpes.
• To make crêpes:
• Heat a crêpe pan or non-stick skillet measuring 6 to 7 inches across the bottom over moderate heat until it is hot. Brush the pan lightly with the butter, heat it until it is hot but not smoking, and remove it from the heat. Stir the batter, half fill a 1/4-cup measure with it, and pour the batter into the pan. Tilt and rotate the pan quickly to cover the bottom with a thin layer of batter and return any excess batter to the bowl. Return the pan to the heat, loosen the edge of the crêpe with a spatula, and cook the crêpe for 1 minute, or until the top appears almost dry. Turn the crêpe, cook the other side lightly, and transfer the crêpe to a plate. Make crêpes with the remaining batter in the same manner, brushing the pan lightly with butter as necessary. The crêpes may be made 3 days in advance, kept stacked, wrapped in plastic wrap, and chilled.

COCONUT CUSTARDS + COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM + TOASTED PINEAPPLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Using your fingers, very lightly grease 6 (4-ounce) custard cups or ramekins with vegetable oil. Place 1 tablespoon of the toasted coconut in each ramekin. Place the ramekins inside a roasting pan and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of the cream, the milk, cream of coconut, sugar, and vanilla bean halves and their seeds. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and eggs. Whisk 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture into the eggs, and then add the remaining hot milk, whisking constantly. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container. Let sit for 2 minutes and skim any foam from the surface.
• Divide among the prepared cups and fill the roasting pan with hot water to come halfway up the sides. Bake until the custards are just barely set and still jiggle slightly in the center when shaken, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack, wrap with plastic and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 4 hours.
• In a medium bowl, beat the remaining 1 cup of cream until thick and frothy. Add the liqueur and confectioners' sugar and beat until soft peaks form.
• To serve, run a thin sharp knife along the insides of the ramekins to loosen the custards. Invert a dessert plate over each ramekin and shake the ramekin gently to release the custard onto the plate.
• Place a toasted pineapple slice on each plate along with a dollop of the coconut whipped cream and a drizzle of the Tropical Coulis.
• Garnish with a sprig of mint and serve immediately.
• TO MAKE TOASTED PINEAPPLE SLICES:.
• Preheat the grill or broiler.
• Place the pineapple slices on a small baking sheet (or broiler pan) and sprinkle the top of each with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the sugar, packing gently with your fingers.
• With a spatula transfer to the hot grill (alternatively, place the broiler pan under the broiler), and cook until the sugar is caramelized and the edges are starting to brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Let cool slightly before serving.
• TO MAKE TROPICAL COULIS:.
• Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.