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Prep Time: 35 Minutes Cook Time: 85 Minutes |
Ready In: 120 Minutes Servings: 8 |
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This juicy, fresh-fruit version evokes those described in 19th-century southern cookbooks. Flakes of fresh coconut provide a nice chew, and a little Sherry gives it sophistication and complexity. Ambrosia is often served as part of the transition to dessert, but at a generous meal like this one it fits in well earlier on, providing a bright, refreshing contrast to the main course. Ingredients:
1 medium coconut |
8 large navel oranges |
2 tablespoons sugar |
pinch of kosher or sea salt |
3 tablespoons cream sherry |
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle. 2. Pierce softest eye of coconut with a small screwdriver, then drain liquid and discard. Bake coconut in a shallow baking pan until it cracks, about 20 minutes. When cool, wrap in a towel and break shell with a hammer. Pry flesh from shell with screwdriver and peel off brown membrane with a vegetable peeler. Rinse coconut flesh. Coarsely grate coconut on large holes of a box grater using light pressure in long strokes to produce long, feathery flakes. 3. Cut peel and pith from oranges with a sharp paring knife. Working over a large bowl, cut segments free from membranes, letting them drop into bowl; squeeze juice from membranes into bowl. 4. Gently toss oranges with coconut, sugar, salt, and Sherry. Chill, covered, at least 1 hour. |
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