Demitasse Carrot Custards Recipes

Steps:

• Place the parsley and a half-cup of broth in a food processor. Process for one minute. Scrape mixture into a two-cup glass measure.
• Combine the remaining broth with the cornstarch and stir into the parsley mixture. Cover tightly with microwave plastic wrap. Cook at 100 percent for four minutes.
• Uncover. Stir in salt. Allow to cool slightly. Whip the cream to soft peaks and fold into the parsley mixture. Serve with the demitasse carrot custards.

Steps:

• Place the carrots in a one-and-a-half-quart souffle dish. Cover dish tightly with microwave plastic wrap. Cook at 100 percent for six minutes, 30 seconds.
• Uncover. Place the carrots in a blender. Add one egg and blend to a smooth puree. Add the remaining eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the blender after each addition. Pour into a clean bowl and stir in the cream, salt and cumin (you will have about two cups of custard).
• Divide the mixture evenly among eight demitasse cups. Cover each tightly with microwave plastic wrap. Arrange in a ring, not touching, on the microwave carousel or a 12-inch round platter. Cook at 100 percent for two minutes, 30 seconds, or until just set.
• Before removing the custards from the oven, pierce the plastic with the tip of a sharp knife so the plastic doesn't settle on the delicate custard surface.
• Remove from oven. Uncover (unmold if desired) and serve with a dollop of parsley sauce and a leaf of fresh parsley.

Steps:

• Make filling: Crush cardamom pods with the flat side of a chef's knife just to split. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; add crushed cardamom. Cook until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add milk, cream, and ginger; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 15 minutes. Remove from heat; let steep 30 minutes.
• Melt remaining tablespoon butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Stir in sugar and salt. Cover pan; cook until carrots are tender, about 8 minutes. Pour steeped milk through a sieve into pan with carrots; discard solids. Remove from heat; let cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Process carrot mixture in a food processor until completely smooth; transfer to a bowl.
• Temper beaten eggs by whisking in up to 3/4 cup carrot mixture, 1/4 cup at a time, until eggs are warm to the touch. Pour warmed egg mixture into remaining carrot mixture; whisk until thoroughly combined. Let cool.
• Make pies: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly sprinkle ground gingersnaps on a work surface to form a large circle about 18 inches in diameter. On crumbs, roll out pate brisee to 1/8 inch thick, turning occasionally to coat both sides.
• Cut out eight 5-inch rounds from dough. Press rounds into eight 4-inch pie plates; trim excess. With a fork, crimp edges, and then prick bottom of dough all over. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Line each pie shell with parchment paper or foil, and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. Remove pie weights and parchment. Let shells cool completely.
• Divide filling among shells. Bake until a cake tester comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Serve pies warm with whipped cream dusted with ground cardamom.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Press the pie crust into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate.
• Bake the pie shell for 3 to 5 minutes, just to firm it up, then remove from the oven, and set aside. Place carrots in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain water, and mash carrots until smooth using a food processor, or potato ricer.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the carrot puree, sugar and eggs. Mix in the cinnamon and vanilla. Gradually stir in the milk. Pour the mixture into the partially baked pie shell.
• Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake for an additional 40 to 45 minutes at the lower temperature, or until firm. Cool completely before serving.