Clafoutis

Clafoutis or Clafouti (as it is called in Anglophone countries) is a baked French dessert, which is composed of layers of fruit and thick batter. The term clafoutis is derived from the old French word claufir, which translates to attach with nails. There is another etymological version which says that the word is derived from Occitan word clafotis. The word clafotis is in turn derived from the clafir, which translates to “fill”. Traditionally the dessert is topped with layer of cherries but at times other fruits are also substituted for cherries. Different variations of this dessert are enjoyed throughout Europe. The people of Dutch prepare a dessert similar to this fruit dessert and call it pannekoek, but it includes chunks of bacon, cheese, raisins and apples.

 

Clafoutis is originally pronounced as kla-fou-tee. Some say that this dessert is the epitome of the French grandmotherly dessert. The dessert resembles “Forêt Noire” in many senses. It is believed that the word was first used in 1968. Many food experts believe that clafoutis is a cross between pancake and custard.

 

History of Clafoutis
Clafoutis originated in the Limousin region of France. It is believed that thiswas a popular dessert in 19th century.

 

Ingredients Prescribed by Clafoutis Recipe
The traditional recipe calls for the usage of cherries. These cherries are arranged in a pit. These pits emanate delicious flavor when clafoutis is cooked. If the pits are discarded before the baking process, the desert will have comparatively milder flavor. Some variations of the recipe also suggest using chocolates with cherries. This dessert tastes more like a pancake if the chocolates are added with cherries. Other than the red cherries, prunes, apples, cranberries and black berries are also used. If some other fruit is used in place of cherry then the clafoutis is called Flaugnarde, which is also known as flognarde, flagnarde, or flougnarde. This dessert is dusted with confectioners’ sugar and served either hot or cold. Many health conscious clafoutis recipes are developed which suggest the use of almond meal in place of flour. All seasonal fruits can be used in the preparation of the dessert. Mostly cherries are substituted with thinly sliced apples during the winter season. The clafoutis have short shelf life compared to other similar desserts.

 

Popular Clafoutis Variations

  • Plum & Nectarine Clafoutis Recipe: This is dessert variation makes use of stone fruit. This dessert is mostly served with ice cream. Normally it is beaten to beat the summer heat.
  • Peach Clafoutis Recipe: Some may argue that this is not exact form of dessert,but a flaugnarde. The peach delivers astonishing color and shape to this clafoutis variation.
  • Pear Clafouti: This dessert is rounded by combining ingredients like kosher salt, eggs, brandy, pears, etc. The dessert is served after garnishing with confectioners’ sugar and crème fraiche.
  • Apple Clafoutis: This dessert is squared by combining ingredients like core red or green apples, castor sugar, plain flour, warm custard and milk. This is mostly prepared as the autumn or winter dessert.
  • Blueberry Clafouti: Castor sugar, egg, egg yolk, blueberries, butter, etc, are some of the ingredients used to square this dessert. The dessert tastes good if the batter is prepared at least 24 hours before the actual preparation time.
  • Mini chocolate and Orange Clafouti: This is a popular dessert which is normally served at coffee shops. Normally sugar or corn sugar is used as the sweetener. This dessert can be enjoyed cold or warm.
  • Strawberry Clafoutis Recipe: The deeply fragrant and small strawberries are used in the preparation of the dessert. Normally this dessert is prepared during April to June when the strawberries flood the market. This dessert can be directly served from baking dish or ramekins, and is normally served with extra strawberries.  

 

Health and Nutrition Information of Various Types of Clafoutis

  • Cherry: Each 130 gms of this cherry laid dessert serves you 150 calories with 3gm total fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 5 grams of protein, 25 grams total carbohydrates, 110 mg cholesterol, and 150 mg sodium.
  • Blueberry: Each serving of this Blueberry clafoutis serves you 62 calories, with fat 18.7%, carbs 59.9%, and protein 19.7 %.
  • Pear: Each serving of the pear clafoutis delivers about 119.8 calories with 1.8 grams of fat, 71.7 mg of cholesterol, 63.4 mg of sodium, 186.2 mg of potassium, 21 grams of carbohydrates, 5.2 grams of proteins, 2.2% of Vitamin A, 7.6% of Vitamin B, 3.1% of Vitamin B-6, 1.9% of Vitamin C , 10.6% of Calcium, 4.8% of Folate, 2.1%,of Copper, 12.9% of  Riboflavin ,11.5% of Phosphorus, and 3.7% of Zinc.