Oatmeal brulée

4 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1cupMcCann's Irish oatmeal; soaked overnight, in water to cover
4cupsWater
1pinchSalt
1cupHeavy cream
2Star anise
1Stick cinnamon
3Pieces orange zest - 3/4 inch by 2-inch
¼cupMaple syrup
¼cupChopped dried apricots
¼cupDried cherries
¼cupCurrants
¼cupChopped dried figs
2tablespoonsToasted pecans
2tablespoonsToasted walnuts
3tablespoonsSugar

Directions

Cook oatmeal in water with a pinch of salt over medium heat for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat heavy cream over low heat. Place star anise, cinnamon, and orange zest in a small piece of cheesecloth and tie with cotton string.

Place in the heavy cream, and simmer for about 10 minutes to infuse the cream. Whisk in maple syrup. Increase heat to medium and cook until thickened and able to coat the back of a spoon.

Place about ¼-cup oatmeal in each of four heatproof bowls. Sprinkle each with ¼ of the dried fruits and nuts. Divide the remaining oatmeal evenly among the bowls. Sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon sugar. Place them under the broiler until the sugar is caramelized and a crisp shell is formed, adding more sugar if necessary. Garnish with remaining fruit and nuts and serve immediately with maple cream.

A winter brunch at Quilty’s restaurant and bar in New York City might include rich oatmeal brûlée with spiced cream flavored with maple syrup.

Inspired by the French desert, crème brûlée, chef Katy Sparks layers cooked Irish oatmeal with dried fruits and nuts and finishes it with a brittle burnt-sugar crust. She uses a torch to melt the sugar, but a few minutes under the broiler can achieve the same effect. Use a variety of your favorite dried fruits like figs, apricots, and cherries in this dish.

Chopped walnuts and pecans add crunchy texture. Katy infuses warm heavy cream with star anise and cinnamon before adding pure maple syrup from Vermont. Healthy and delicious oats are high in vitamins B1, B2, and E.

NOTES : Posted to Recipelu on 1/21/98 by Valérie Whittle Recipe by: Martha Stewart

Posted to recipelu-digest Volume 01 Number 576 by "catspaw@..." <catspaw@...> on Jan 22, 1998