Thursday, May 28, 2015

Sugar-Free Clafoutis



Blueberry Clafoutis


I remember the first time I tried Clafoutis. "Cla - what now?" was my first thought. But one bite and I was a believer!

Clafoutis is a traditional French dessert, a cross between an egg-y pancake and a coffee cake, loaded with lovely fresh fruit. In Limousin, the region of its origin, fresh cherries are used, pits and all. Equally delicious are blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, apricots, pears or plums. Served warm, it is perfect for dessert, breakfast, or afternoon tea, and comes together with ease and speed, and very few dirty dishes.

One day I just had a flash of inspiration - what if I made this (sugar-free, of course!) with coconut flour? Lately I've been experimenting with coconut flour, an ingredient with many possibilities. It is very smooth and fine, super high in fiber, and pleasantly sweet tasting. Being so high in fiber, it absorbs moisture like crazy, so when substituting for wheat flour, you need to use a smaller amount of coconut flour. I played with the proportions, and the first batch was fantastic, right off. (I can't always count on that.)

There's only one problem with this recipe .... it's gone in a flash. My daughter and I ate a whole batch of this, made with blueberries, for breakfast last week. Fortunately, it's so fast and easy, I'll just make another one!

Sugar-Free Clafoutis


1 pound berries, or 1 1/4 pound of other firm fruits, as listed above, pitted and sliced

1/4 cup sugar substitute (I like Swerve)
2 TB coconut sugar (optional, but delicious - very low glycemic)
1 cup whole milk (or coconut, almond or other milk, or substitute 50% of it with heavy cream)
The immersion blender is the perfect tool.
4 large eggs
¼ cup coconut flour + 2 TB
¼ tsp salt
3 TB unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 TB vanilla

1). Pre-heat oven to 400 F
2). Butter shallow 2 quart baking dish or pie pan generously
3). In a blender, food processor, or, if using an immersion blender, a bain Marie, combine eggs, milk, flour, salt, butter, vanilla, and sugar. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
4). Sprinkle the fruit over the bottom of the baking dish, then pour batter over it.
5) . Bake until puffed and golden, 35 to 45 minutes
This batch was made with full cream coconut milk - delicious! 


Serve warm