CHERRY CLAFOUTIS
Preparation time : 15 minutes
Total cooking time : 35 minutes
Serves 6 – 8
500 g (I Ib) fresh cherries, well drained
½ cup (60 g/2 oz) plain flour
1/3 cup (90 g/3 oz) sugar
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup (250 ml/8 fl oz) milk
25 g (3/4 oz) unsalted butter, melted icing sugar, to dust
1 Preheat the oven to moderate 180*C (350* F/Gas 4). Brush a 23 cm (9 inch) glass or ceramic shallow pie plate with melted butter.
2 Pit the cherries and spread onto the pie plate in a single layer. If using canned cherries, drain them thoroughly in a sieve before spreading in the plate. If they are still wet, they will leak into the batter.
3 Sift the flour into a bowl, add the sugar and make a well in the Centre. Gradually add the combine eggs, milk and butter, whisking until smooth and free of lumps.
4 Pour the batter over the cherries and bake for 30-35 minutes. The batter should be risen and golden. Remove from the oven and dust generously with icing sugar. Serve immediately.
NOTE : A clafoutis (pronounced ‘clafootee’) is a classic French batter pudding, a speciality of the Limousin region. Clafoutis comes from Clafir, a dialect verb meaning ‘ to fill’ . It is traditionally made with cherries. Other berries such as blueberries, raspberries , or small well-flavoured strawberries may be used. Use a shallow pie plate or the top will not turn golden brown.