Tropical Fruit Gratin Recipes

10-MINUTE FRUIT GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat broiler; set rack as close to heat source as possible (even 2 inches is not too close).
• Wash, pit, stem and peel the fruit as necessary. Cut stone fruit in halves or slices, as you prefer. Cut strawberries in thick slices; leave smaller berries whole. Place the fruit (at least 2 cups full) in a baking or gratin dish just large enough to hold it.
• Whip cream with 2 tablespoons of sugar until it is thick and just barely holding soft peaks; stir in the vanilla extract. Pour cream over and around the fruit. Sprinkle with remaining sugar.
• Broil carefully, allowing cream to brown all over and even burn in a couple of spots; rotate baking dish during broiling if necessary. Remove and serve.

TROPICAL FRUIT PLATTER

Steps:

• Lop green top off pineapple and place on a cutting board. Slice covering off in strips from the top down. Remove hard pineapple core with a fruit corer or simply by slicing ripe part away from the core. Cut pineapple into wedges. Remove seeds from cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew and cut ripe part of melon into half moon shapes, or into spheres with a "melon baller," or into any shape you like. Arrange fruit on a platter and garnish with whole strawberries. Can be served with fruit dipping sauce such as yogurt or honey based dressing.

GRATIN OF SUMMER BERRIES

Steps:

• Scatter the berries into medium remekins or a large, shallow heatproof dish, preferably in a single layer. Sprinkle with the lemon zest, cover and chill until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, break up the chocolate into a small heatproof bowl. Heat the cream in a pan until almost boiling, then pour onto the chocolate. Leave for 3 mins, then stir slowly until dissolved. Allow to cool to room temperature until thickened.
• To serve, heat the grill for a good 5 mins until glowing hot. Spoon the chocolate cream over the berries, sprinkle over the icing sugar and place under the grill. Grill for 2-3 mins until the sauce begins to brown, turning the dish if necessary. Remove and serve immediately.

GRATIN OF EXOTIC FRUITS

Steps:

• Place the sugar and ginger in a glass jar and let stand for 2 days. Preheat broiler.
• Toss the mango, papaya and oranges together with 1/2 cup of the ginger sugar.
• Place the mixture in a 10-inch quiche dish. Top with the pineapple rings. Coat the pineapple heavily with the remaining ginger sugar.
• Broil until the sugar is caramelized, for a sugary, even crust, about 10 minutes.

TROPICAL FRUIT GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven broiler.
• Mix fruit and lime zest in a bowl. Divide mixture among six 125 ml (1/2 cup) ramekins and set aside.
• Reserve 1 tablespoon sugar. In a saucepan, blend butter, remaining sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in egg yolk and cream.
• Cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes, always stirring, until thick.
• Remove from heat and add in vanilla. Allow to cool and reserve.
• Using an electric mixer, beat egg white in a bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add in reserved sugar, continuing to beat until soft peaks form.
• Fold egg white (incorporate gently with a spatula) into reserved cream mixture. Carefully spoon cream onto fruit and sprinkle with brown sugar and coconut.
• Cook under broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden.

FRUIT GRATIN

Steps:

• Clean the fruits, remove the stone of the peaches and chop in cubes.
• Put all the fruit in an oven-proof dish.
• Top with the crumbled macaroons.
• Mix the orange juice with the lemon zest and sprinkle over the fruit and cookies and leave for about half an hour.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Whisk the egg whites in a very clean bowl, when stiff add the sugar gradually with the vanilla essence, whisk untill glossy.
• Spread the egg whites on top of the fruit and cookie mixture, try to pattern it a bit.
• Bake for approx 10 minutes (keep an eye on it) until colored to your liking.
• Serve garnished with mint and a scoop of ice cream (optional).