Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake with Rosemary Caramel Sauce |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 1 |
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We were intrigued, if skeptical, about trying this dessert of rhubarb, caramel, and rosemary from Brock Windsor, chef-owner of Stone Soup Inn in Vancouver Island's Cowichan Valley in B.C. But the unusual combo bowled us over. Though the recipe is time intensive, nothing is difficult. Ingredients:
1/2 pound rhubarb, cut into 1/2-in. slices (2 cups) |
1/2 cup plus 3 tbsp. granulated sugar |
3 ounces good-quality white chocolate such as callebaut, chopped |
1/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature |
2 large egg whites, at room temperature |
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract |
1 1/3 cups cake flour |
2 teaspoons baking powder |
1/2 teaspoon salt |
1/2 cup milk |
1 cup whipping cream |
1 rosemary sprig (5 in.) |
1 cup granulated sugar |
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice |
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar |
1/2 pound rhubarb, split lengthwise and cut into 2-in. pieces |
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Make cake: Butter a 9-in. round pan or 8 (1-cup) ramekins and line with parchment paper or waxed paper cut to fit. Butter the paper. In a bowl, toss rhubarb with 3 tbsp. granulated sugar. Spoon evenly into pan or ramekins; if using ramekins, set on a rimmed baking sheet. 2. Melt chocolate in a small metal bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, whisking until smooth, 2 to 4 minutes. Let cool. 3. Beat butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a bowl with a mixer until fluffy. Add egg whites and vanilla and beat until well blended. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in another bowl. Beat flour mixture into egg mixture half at a time, alternating with milk, until smooth. Stir in chocolate. 4. Spread batter evenly over rhubarb. Bake cake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean, 28 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pan or ramekins about 30 minutes. 5. Make sauce: Heat cream and rosemary in a small saucepan over medium heat until bubbles form at edge of pan, stirring occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and discard rosemary. 6. Stir granulated sugar with lemon juice and 2 tbsp. water in a 12-in. frying pan. Cook over medium-high heat, occasionally picking up pan and swirling mixture around sides to wash down sugar crystals, until deep golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Immediately remove pan from heat, add cream (it will bubble up), and whisk until smooth. Scrape sauce into a serving bowl. 7. Make compote: In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring brown sugar, 1/3 cup water, and the rhubarb to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer until rhubarb is tender, 4 to 5 minutes. 8. Loosen cake from sides of pan or ramekins with a small metal spatula. Invert pan onto a platter (or invert ramekins onto dessert plates) and remove paper. For cake on platter, cut into wedges and transfer to plates. Using a slotted spoon, spoon compote and some syrup on cake. Spoon some sauce next to cake and serve the rest on the side. Serve with chamomile ice cream. 9. Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving. |
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