Rote GrÜtze Recipes

ROTE GRüTZE (RED BERRY DESSERT)

Steps:

• If you're using fresh fruit, wash the fruit and dry it. Remove the pits, stems, etc., and cut them into smaller pieces where necessary (e.g. when using strawberries). If you are using frozen berries, take them out of the freezer.
• Add the red fruit juice to a medium-sized pot.
• In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 3-4 tablespoons of fruit juice from the pot. Mix until the cornstarch has dissolved.
• Add the sugar and vanilla extract to the fruit juice in the pot and mix. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove it from the heat. Pour in the dissolved cornstarch while whisking constantly.
• Now add the fresh or frozen berries to the pot with the thickened fruit juice. Stir gently to break as few berries as possible. Return the pot to the hot burner and let the berries simmer on low heat for a few minutes. This will take slightly longer for frozen berries than for fresh berries.
• Once you are happy with the consistency of the berries, pour or ladle the Rote Grütze into bowls. Don't worry if it still appears liquidy, it will get a firmer consistency as it cools. You can sprinkle some sugar on top of the berries or cover them with cling film (it should touch the top of the berries) to avoid skin from forming. Place the bowls in the fridge to chill.
• You can serve Rote Grütze with cold unwhipped cream, vanilla sauce, vanilla ice cream, or normal whipped cream.

ROTE GRUTZE

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups currants, the sugar, wine, and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, and simmer until berries are soft, about 1 minute. Puree in a blender. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl (you should have about 1 3/4 cups).
• Return strained puree to pan; bring to a boil. Add remaining currants, return to a boil, and skim if necessary. Mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup water until cornstarch dissolves, then whisk into currants. Cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until boiling in center and mixture looks clear, about 5 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.
• Divide mixture between 6 small glasses. Chill until set, at least 1 1/2 hours and up to 8 hours. Dollop whipped cream on top, and serve with fresh currants.

ROTE GRUTZE (GERMAN BERRY COMPOTE)

Steps:

• Combine berries and sugar in non-stick saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil while stirring constantly.
• Whisk cornstarch into cold water in a small bowl until dissolved completely; stir into the berry mixture. Reduce heat to medium low and cook mixture at a simmer until it begins to thicken, about 3 minutes.
• Remove berry mixture from heat. Stir lemon juice and vanilla extract into the berry mixture; transfer to a bowl. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours.

ROTE GRUETZE - RED BERRY PUDDING

Steps:

• Mix the sugar with the grape juice, Kirschwasser, and red wine. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.
• Mix the cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water. Add slowly to the hot liquids and stir constantly. Bring the mixture back to a boil and keep stirring until liquid starts to thicken and become clear and glossy.
• Stir in the fruit. You can use any mixture of cherries, red currants , raspberries, and blackberries. Heat through for a minute or two, then pour into a bowl and refrigerate.
• Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Slowly warm the milk, cream, sugar and vanilla (both the bean and the seeds).
• When the sugar is dissolved and the milk is almost boiling, remove the pan from the heat source and stir in the egg yolks. Place the pan back on a very low burner and heat until the sauce has thickened, but do not boil.
• Strain through a colander if necessary to remove lumps or egg which did not mix well. Cool.
• To serve, place the Rote Grütze in dessert cups or ice cream dishes, pour a little vanilla sauce over it and garnish with lemon balm or mint leaf sprigs.

RED BERRY FRUIT COMPOTE (GERMAN ROTE GRüTZE)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over a medium heat, cook the fruits in their juices and syrup, along with 150ml of the cranberry juice, the vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar and rosewater for about 20 mins or until the fruits are soft.
• In a separate bowl, mix the remaining cranberry juice with the cornflour until it becomes smooth and milky without any lumps. Pour slowly into the hot fruit and continue stirring until mixed in well - the compote will thicken after a couple of mins. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Transfer to a bowl, cover and chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving for best results in texture and flavour. Will keep for up to 1 week.
• Serve the compote in ramekins, small bowls or clean jam jars, with a generous dollop of vanilla custard. Sprinkle the chocolate shavings and pomegranate seeds on top, and finish with the mint leaves.