Cooking with Madame Sportif- Part Two
This time I invited Madame Sportif chez moi for my latest French cooking lesson. We had a great time, as usual, (she is the nicest lady!) and it was fun for her to see my place for a change.
On the menu? Zucchini Gratin and Mango Cake. It was the perfect light ladies lunch and I am happy to report- it was very easy to make!
Zucchini Gratin
Partially peel 3 Zucchinis (so they look like they have stripes), cut them into chunks and steam for 15- 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk 2 Eggs together with 2 tbs. Half and Half
Once Zucchini is steamed (firm, not mushy) arrange them in the bottom of a gratin dish. Pour the egg mixture on top.
Lay enough slices of Swiss Cheese to cover the top of dish.
Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Run under broiler for one minute to brown the cheese.
Note: You can replace the zucchini with cauliflower, broccoli or leeks.
Mango Cake
First make a caramel sauce with 2/3 cup Sugar and 4 tbs of water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Squeeze a tiny amount of lemon juice into caramel. Stir. Pour caramel into the bottom of a round cake pan.
Peel and cut 3 Mangoes into large chunks. Arrange the chunks on top of the caramel sauce in the cake pan.
Whisk together (in a Kitchen Aid or other similar device) 3 Eggs with 2/3 cup of Sugar and 1 tsp Vanilla Extract. Whisk until frothy. Add 2/3 cup of Flour and 1 ½ sticks of Melted Butter. Stir to incorporate.
Pour the batter on top of the mangoes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
Test with fork after 40 minutes. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. Let cool for at least 10 minutes. Then turn cake upside down on a platter so the caramel mango topping is on top (kind of like a pineapple upside down cake).
This cake is seriously delicious and impressive looking (my hastily taken picture does not do it justice)... the perfect sort of cake to have in the summer time. It would be delicious with a cup of Ceylon tea...
If mangoes are not in season you can make substitute with pears or bananas...
We had lots of fun cooking and I attempted to grill her on French beauty secrets... which I will reveal to you in a later post...
I hope you have a wonderful weekend xx
On the menu? Zucchini Gratin and Mango Cake. It was the perfect light ladies lunch and I am happy to report- it was very easy to make!
Zucchini Gratin
Partially peel 3 Zucchinis (so they look like they have stripes), cut them into chunks and steam for 15- 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk 2 Eggs together with 2 tbs. Half and Half
Once Zucchini is steamed (firm, not mushy) arrange them in the bottom of a gratin dish. Pour the egg mixture on top.
Lay enough slices of Swiss Cheese to cover the top of dish.
Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Run under broiler for one minute to brown the cheese.
Note: You can replace the zucchini with cauliflower, broccoli or leeks.
Mango Cake
First make a caramel sauce with 2/3 cup Sugar and 4 tbs of water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Squeeze a tiny amount of lemon juice into caramel. Stir. Pour caramel into the bottom of a round cake pan.
Peel and cut 3 Mangoes into large chunks. Arrange the chunks on top of the caramel sauce in the cake pan.
Whisk together (in a Kitchen Aid or other similar device) 3 Eggs with 2/3 cup of Sugar and 1 tsp Vanilla Extract. Whisk until frothy. Add 2/3 cup of Flour and 1 ½ sticks of Melted Butter. Stir to incorporate.
Pour the batter on top of the mangoes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
Test with fork after 40 minutes. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. Let cool for at least 10 minutes. Then turn cake upside down on a platter so the caramel mango topping is on top (kind of like a pineapple upside down cake).
This cake is seriously delicious and impressive looking (my hastily taken picture does not do it justice)... the perfect sort of cake to have in the summer time. It would be delicious with a cup of Ceylon tea...
If mangoes are not in season you can make substitute with pears or bananas...
We had lots of fun cooking and I attempted to grill her on French beauty secrets... which I will reveal to you in a later post...
I hope you have a wonderful weekend xx
Category Article Comme les Français, Cuisine
