Rhubarb Verrines with Salty Macadamia Crumble
Photo: Alex Farnum
This layered French-style dessert, created by Yigit Pura of Tout Sweet Pâtisserie in San Francisco, is all about exciting flavor and textural contrasts--a luxurious, creamy base topped with a crisp and buttery cookie crumble and tangy-sweet fruit. Save any leftover toppings for a deluxe breakfast yogurt the next day.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Prepare rhubarb: Bring sugar and 1 qt. water to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add hibiscus, zest, and grenadine; and let stand, covered, 10 minutes.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, split rhubarb lengthwise if needed so stalks are 1/2 to 3/4 in. wide. Cut crosswise into 1/4-in. slices.
Step 3
3
Strain hot syrup into a bowl, then return liquid and zest to pan (discard hibiscus). Reheat to simmering. Remove from heat and stir in rhubarb. Cover and let stand until rhubarb is just tender, 1 hour. Uncover and let cool. Chill, covered, until cold, at least 2 hours. Strain just before using, saving liquid for lemonade or cocktails.
Step 4
4
Make crumble: Preheat oven to 325°. Beat butter, salt, and brown sugar in a bowl with a mixer until evenly blended. Add flour and almond meal and beat until mixture comes together. Beat in nuts. With your fingers, break up mixture into 1/2-in. clumps onto a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
Step 5
5
Make Chantilly: Put cream, mascarpone, sugar, and zest in a mixing bowl. Scrape vanilla seeds into bowl and discard pod. Beat until as thick as whipped cream.
Step 6
6
Serving: Spoon 1/2 cup Chantilly into each of 8 widemouthed glasses. Spoon 2 to 3 tbsp. crumble, then 2 to 3 tbsp. drained rhubarb onto each (you may have leftovers). Garnish with lemon, if you like.
Step 7
7
*Find dried hibiscus (also called Jamaica) at Mexican markets or at worldspice.com (it's listed with leaf teas). Find grenadine syrup with cocktail supplies. Find almond meal, such as Bob's Red Mill, in the baking aisle at well-stocked supermarkets.
Step 8
8
Make ahead: Rhubarb up to 3 days, chilled; crumble up to 3 days, airtight at room temperature.
Ingredients
HIBISCUS AND ORANGE-POACHED RHUBARB
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon dried hibiscus*
2 strips orange zest (each 1 by 2 in.)
2 tablespoons grenadine syrup*
1 pound rhubarb, ends trimmed
SALTY MACADAMIA CRUMBLE
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 teaspoon flake salt, such as Maldon
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup almond meal*
1/4 cup coarsely chopped roasted, salted macadamia nuts
MASCARPONE CHANTILLY
1 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
1 3/4 cups (6 1/2 oz.) mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup sugar
Zest of 1 orange
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
SERVING
Directions
Step 1
1
Prepare rhubarb: Bring sugar and 1 qt. water to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add hibiscus, zest, and grenadine; and let stand, covered, 10 minutes.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, split rhubarb lengthwise if needed so stalks are 1/2 to 3/4 in. wide. Cut crosswise into 1/4-in. slices.
Step 3
3
Strain hot syrup into a bowl, then return liquid and zest to pan (discard hibiscus). Reheat to simmering. Remove from heat and stir in rhubarb. Cover and let stand until rhubarb is just tender, 1 hour. Uncover and let cool. Chill, covered, until cold, at least 2 hours. Strain just before using, saving liquid for lemonade or cocktails.
Step 4
4
Make crumble: Preheat oven to 325°. Beat butter, salt, and brown sugar in a bowl with a mixer until evenly blended. Add flour and almond meal and beat until mixture comes together. Beat in nuts. With your fingers, break up mixture into 1/2-in. clumps onto a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
Step 5
5
Make Chantilly: Put cream, mascarpone, sugar, and zest in a mixing bowl. Scrape vanilla seeds into bowl and discard pod. Beat until as thick as whipped cream.
Step 6
6
Serving: Spoon 1/2 cup Chantilly into each of 8 widemouthed glasses. Spoon 2 to 3 tbsp. crumble, then 2 to 3 tbsp. drained rhubarb onto each (you may have leftovers). Garnish with lemon, if you like.
Step 7
7
*Find dried hibiscus (also called Jamaica) at Mexican markets or at worldspice.com (it's listed with leaf teas). Find grenadine syrup with cocktail supplies. Find almond meal, such as Bob's Red Mill, in the baking aisle at well-stocked supermarkets.
Step 8
8
Make ahead: Rhubarb up to 3 days, chilled; crumble up to 3 days, airtight at room temperature.
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