In summer time, there’s nothing fairly like berries to fulfill the nexus of candy, tart, and refreshing. July and August imply buckets of raspberries and blueberries which might be like edible jewels so as to add a bit sparkle to any dish. Frequent berries to be present in France are framboises (raspberries), fraises (strawberries), myrtilles (blueberries), and mûres (blackberries). The native favourite, although, is cassis (blackcurrant), which has a particularly tart taste and is usually used for chopping by candy issues. It’s most famously utilized in a syrup kind blended with white wine to create a drink referred to as, kir. You may need hassle discovering blackcurrants within the U.S., and cassis syrup will be laborious to return by as effectively, however the richness of blackberries and the tartness of lemon juice can be utilized in a pinch as a alternative.
Throughout the summer time in France, berries can be utilized for something from breakfast to dessert, as flavors for juices or ice lotions, or as fillings for pastries or pies. I nonetheless dream a couple of tarte framboise-chocolat I ate as soon as throughout my travels at Flower’s Café in Toulouse, or consuming a scoop of cassis gelato within the port of Cassis itself, after a long hike down from the calanques. However you don’t must journey far to get artistic along with your berry surplus. Listed below are some concepts.
Sorbet
When it begins getting scorching, there’s nothing extra refreshing than a bowl stuffed with the chilly, candy magic that’s sorbet. The most typical berries used for sorbet in France are blackcurrants, which give their sorbet a pleasant purple hue. We’ve used raspberries for this recipe to make issues extra accessible for our pals summering Stateside.
Substances:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
6 cups raspberries
Directions:
Step 1: Make a easy syrup by heating water and sugar in a saucepan, and stirring till the sugar has fully dissolved. Take away from warmth and let cool.
Step 2: Add raspberries and easy syrup to a blender or meals processor and pulse till the combination is easy. Pressure by a mesh sieve right into a bowl, and let chill within the fridge for no less than an hour.
Step 3: Pour combination into an ice cream maker, and observe the directions in keeping with your machine to freeze. Switch to a container within the freezer when executed for no less than two hours till able to eat. For those who don’t have an ice cream maker, freeze your combination onto a layer of parchment paper on a cookie sheet till set, then break up and mix the items within the meals processor once more. Repeat this step if mandatory to realize your required consistency.
Bonus: To make the flavour of your sorbet a bit extra complicated, attempt including the juice of half of a lemon or half of a teaspoon of rosewater whereas mixing your combination. Alternatively, add a couple of sprigs of thyme or rosemary or mint to your easy syrup, and pressure out earlier than mixing.
Tarte aux Framboises
The tarte aux framboises is without doubt one of the staples of French pâtisserie, however you don’t want to check at Le Cordon Bleu to make one at house. Skip a couple of steps through the use of a store-bought pie crust, or make your own if you happen to’re feeling as much as the duty.
Substances:
Pie crust
1/2 lb. contemporary raspberries
…For French pastry cream
3 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1 cup milk
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Directions:
Step 1: Blind bake your pie crust. Dock the underside of your crust with a fork, cowl in parchment paper, and fill with dried beans or rice to weigh the crust down. Put within the oven for 15-20 minutes at 375°F till golden brown. When completed, take away and let come to room temperature.
Step 2: Whereas your crust cools, put together your pastry cream. Beat egg yolks and sugar with a whisk in a saucepan till the combination is easy. Whisk within the flour.
Step 3: In a separate saucepan, warmth the milk till it begins to simmer. Whisking always, pour the milk into the yolk combination. Let thicken over medium warmth for about 5 minutes, till a custard consistency is reached.
Step 4: Take away the custard from warmth and whisk within the butter and vanilla. Put aside and let cool to room temperature on the counter or within the fridge.
Step 5: When the pie shell has cooled, add the custard, topping with raspberries. Refrigerate till the tart has set.
Blueberry Crumble with Yogurt
In France, myrtilles will more than likely be present in clafoutis (you should utilize Kate Christensen’s Frenchly recipe for Clafoutis aux Fraises and sub in blueberries as desired). You may discover them in tart kind as effectively. However they’re additionally generally served with French yogurt at breakfast, both complete or as a compote. The French have an ages-old love affair with yaourt, and French yogurt is made in small batches and allowed to tradition for a very long time, giving it an additional creamy texture. Get some good high quality French yogurt (or Greek yogurt if you happen to can’t discover it), and as a substitute of a conventional blueberry compote, take issues to the subsequent stage with a blueberry crumble topping.
Substances:
…For the Filling
3 cups contemporary blueberries
2-4 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. contemporary lemon juice
Pinch of salt
…For the Crumble
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 stick melted butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
…For serving
Greek yogurt, or French-style yogurt corresponding to La Fermière
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F.
Step 2: Mix filling elements (blueberries, lemon juice, flour, sugar, and salt) and toss effectively.
Step 3: Mix crumble elements (flour, oats, sugar, salt). Add melted butter and mix till the combination is evenly coated and crumbly.
Step 4: Layer filling within the backside of a pie dish or baking dish and high with crumble. Bake for 25-35 minutes till golden and crispy.
Step 5: Serve in glasses with Greek yogurt for a candy and wholesome breakfast or dessert.
Blackberry Idiot
A fruit idiot is a whimsical method of referring to berries served with whipped cream, however don’t scoff at this extremely versatile dish. Named after the French phrase “fouler,” which implies to mash or press, this dish comes collectively in minutes, and any mixture of flavors will be added to spruce it up. Add some chopped basil or a tablespoon of cassis syrup when heating your blackberries, or contemporary mint or lemon zest for blueberries. If utilizing raspberries, contemplate including a layer of chocolate ganache on the finish. Bake shortcakes to go together with it (or purchase them on the retailer) to make a scrumptious and straightforward berry shortcake.
Substances:
1 1/2 cups blackberries
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp. confectioners’ sugar
Directions:
Step 1: Combine berries with sugar and vanilla in a saucepan over low warmth for ten minutes. Mash berries to launch their juices.
Step 2: Mix the heavy cream and confectioners’ sugar in a bowl and whip to medium peaks utilizing a hand mixer or stand mixer.
Step 3: Gently fold cream into berry combination, or layer in glasses to your required aesthetic.
Catherine Rickman is a author {and professional} francophile who has lived in Paris, New York, and Berlin. She is presently highway tripping round Europe, and you may observe her adventures on Instagram @catrickman.
