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Fruit-and-Almond Gratins

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Fruit-and-Almond GratinsJohn Kernick

In this easy dish, a little bit of almondy custard dresses up fresh fruit, making it special for company while preserving its pure goodness.

Cook's note:

Almond flour (made from blanched almonds) and almond meal (containing the skins) are about the same grind and can be used interchangeably in this recipe.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    45 min

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

2 large eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 cup almond flour or almond meal (see cooks' note, below)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 firm-ripe Bartlett pears (1 pound total)
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup raspberries (5 ounces)
1/2 cup seedless grapes (3 ounces)
3/4 cup sliced almonds (3 ounces)
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Special Equipment

4 (5 1/2- by 1-inch) shallow flameproof gratin dishes or a 12 1/2- by 7 1/2- by 1 1/2-inch shallow flameproof gratin dish

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter gratin dishes.

    Step 2

    Whisk together eggs, cream, confectioners sugar, almond flour, vanilla, and salt in a bowl until combined well. Quarter pears lengthwise, then peel, core, and cut into 1/2-inch-wide wedges. Toss pears with lemon juice in a bowl, then divide among gratin dishes. Divide raspberries and grapes among gratin dishes, then pour custard mixture over fruit. Sprinkle with almonds and dot with butter. Transfer gratin dishes to a shallow baking pan.

    Step 3

    Bake until pears are tender, about 30 minutes. Preheat broiler and broil gratins 4 to 5 inches from heat until almonds are golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Cool on a rack to warm or room temperature before serving.

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