Calvados Soaking Syrup Recipes

BABAS AU CALVADO WITH GLAZED APPLE RINGS

Steps:

• Make the babas:
• Butter eight 1/3-cup ring molds. In the bowl of an electric mixer proof the yeast with the sugar in the milk for 5 minutes, or until the mixture is foamy. Stir in 1/4 cup of the flour, stir the mixture until it is smooth, and let the sponge rise, covered, in a warm place for 20 minutes, or until it is double in bulk. In a small bowl whisk together lightly the egg and the salt. To the yeast mixture add the remaining 1/2 cup flour in 2 batches alternately with the egg mixture, beating well after each addition. Beat in the butter, 1 piece at a time, beating well after each addition, and the cinnamon and beat the dough, scraping down the side of the bowl, for 3 minutes. (The dough will be very soft.) Divide the dough among the prepared ring molds set in a jelly-roll pan, let the babas rise, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or until they are just even with the tops of the molds, and bake even with the tops of the molds, and bake them in the middle of preheated 375°F. oven for 15 minutes, or until they are golden. Transfer the babas in the molds to a rack set over another jelly-roll pan and let them cool for 10 minutes, or until they are only warm.
• Make the syrup while the babas are cooling:
• In a small saucepan combine the sugar and the water, bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and simmer the syrup for 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Calvados.
• Make the glaze:
• In a small saucepan combine the jelly, the Calvados, and the sugar, bring the mixture to a boil, and simmer it, stirring, for 2 minutes.
• Run a thin, sharp knife around the center and side of each mold and invert the babas onto the rack. Reserve 1/2 cup of the syrup in a measuring cup, spoon the remaining syrup, heated to warm, over the babas, reusing the syrup that drips into the pan, until it is all absorbed, and let the babas stand for 15 minutes. The babas may be prepared up to this point 1 day in advance, kept on the rack set over the jelly-roll pan, and covered with foil.
• Brush the glaze, heated to warm, carefully over the babas. The babas may be glazed 1 hour in advance.
• Reserve 6 to 8 small apple rings. Arrange the remaining apple rings decoratively in overlapping rings on each of 6 to 8 plates, top them with the babas, and garnish each baba with a spoonful of the creème fraîche. Fold the reserved apple rings in half and roll the halves into cones to resemble flower buds. Garnish each baba with an apple-ring "bud" and drizzle some of the reserved syrup around it.

BROILED APPLES WITH MAPLE CALVADOS SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Toss apples with lemon juice and 2 tablespoons sugar. Melt butter in a shallow baking pan 6 inches from heat. Remove from oven and tilt pan back and forth to coat bottom completely with butter. Arrange apples in 1 layer in pan. Broil apples 6 inches from heat until edges are pale golden and apples are just tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons sugar over apples and broil until sugar is melted, 1 to 2 minutes.
• While apples are broiling, boil maple syrup and Calvados 2 minutes.
• Serve apples and ice cream topped with sauce.

CALVADOS SOUR

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients over ice in cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously, and strain into martini glass. Garnish with fresh apple slice.

PINK-APPLESAUCE TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a 1/8-inch thickness. Fit into a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Trim edge of dough flush with top of pan. Prick bottom of dough with a fork. Freeze 15 minutes. Line crust with parchment; fill with dried beans or pie weights.
• Bake until edges are set and golden, about 25 minutes. Carefully remove paper and beans. Bake until bottom is dry and golden, about 10 minutes more. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees.
• Meanwhile, combine sugar, butter, and salt in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon Calvados and simmer 30 seconds. Stir in applesauce.
• Spread applesauce mixture evenly in cooled tart shell. Core apples, then use a mandoline or a very sharp knife to slice into almost paper-thin rings. Arrange apples over applesauce mixture, overlapping slices in concentric circles from the center out, to completely cover tart. Bake until apples are crisp-tender, about 15 minutes.
• Combine jelly and remaining 1 tablespoon Calvados in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Brush glaze over apples. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Unmold and serve. Tart can be stored in refrigerator up to 1 day.

CALVADOS CREAM

Steps:

• Whip cream and confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form. Stir in Calvados. Use immediately.