Mangosteen is a beautiful Thai fruit that has just been made available in the US. And because it contains so many antioxidants, mangosteen also offers numerous health benefits. Although it can be a tad expensive, you need only 5 mangosteens to make this clafouti recipe. Clafouti is a very old-style dessert from France - a cloud-like type of custard made with fresh fruit. Mangosteen is especially well-suited to the dessert, offering a mixture of both sweet and sour flavors. This mangosteen recipe comes to us courtesy of David Tinker from Vancouver, BC, Canada. Thanks David, for this fantastic recipe!
Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hours, 00 minutes
Ingredients:
* SERVES 4-6
* 5 mangosteens (mangosteens are round with dark purple skin and a thick stem on top - very different from mangoes)
* 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp. sugar
* 1 tsp. cornstarch
* 1/3 cup rice flour (OR regular all purpose flour)
* 4 large eggs
* pinch of salt
* 1 cup coconut milk
* 1 tsp. grated lemon peel
* 1 tsp. vanilla extract
* 1 tsp. coconut extract
* Optional: 1 tsp. icing sugar for garnish
Preparation:
For more information on Mangosteen, including how to buy and cut a mangosteen fruit, see my: How to Prepare Fresh Mangosteen.
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Using a little oil or butter, generously grease a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish, OR 4-6 individual-size ramekins (6 small or 4 larger ramekins).
3. To Prepare the Mangosteens: Using a sharp knife, cut off the stem section at the top of the mangosteen. If your fruit is very ripe, you will be able to easily peel off the thick purple skin using your thumb. If the skin is firm, make another cut with your knife down one side of the fruit, then open it up.
4. Inside the thick skin you will find small, white segments of fruit. Remove these segments (but leave any stones inside).
5. Toss the fruit segments with 1 tsp. cornstarch and 1 Tbsp. sugar to coat.
6. Arrange these segments in the bottom of the casserole dish, or divide them out evenly among the ramekins. Set aside.
7. In a large bowl, whisk eggs with the salt and sugar to blend. Then whisk in the flour, stirring until smooth.
8. Add the coconut milk, lemon peel, plus vanilla and coconut extract. Whisk to blend.
9. Pour this mixture into the casserole dish (over the mangosteen segments). If using ramekins, ladle the mixture into the ramekins, dividing it out evenly among the dishes. Note that the fruit may float in the egg mixture - this is desirable.
10. Place the casserole dish in the oven. If using ramekins, place the filled ramekins in a lasagna-type baking dish. Pour some water into the dish - enough to reach 1/4 to 1/3 the way up the side of the ramekins.
11. Bake 55 minutes to 1 hour, or until the dessert is set in the middle and lightly browned on top.
12. Serve warm with a little icing sugar sifted over, or with your choice of ice cream or whipped cream. If you left any stones in the mangosteen segments, be sure to warn your guests of this (and congratulate yourself for introducing others to this incredible Thai fruit!). ENJOY!
