Fruit-and-Almond Gratins

Name: Fruit-and-Almond Gratins
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 2 large eggs; 1 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 1/3 cup confectioners sugar; 1 "1/4 cup almond flour or almond meal (see cooks note, below)", 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; 1 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1 2 firm-ripe Bartlett pears (1 pound total); 1 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice; 1 1 cup raspberries (5 ounces); 1 1/2 cup seedless grapes (3 ounces); 1 3/4 cup sliced almonds (3 ounces); 1 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 1 4 (5 1/2- by 1-inch) shallow flameproof gratin dishes or a 12 1/2- by 7 1/2- by 1 1/2-inch shallow flameproof gratin dish

From the kitchen of Carly

Custard-baked pears and berries topped with sliced almonds, finished under the broiler until golden. The almond flour in the custard deepens the nuttiness while raspberries and grapes provide bright contrast. Individual gratins that feel fancier than they are.

Prep: n/a
Cook: n/a
Total: n/a
Servings: 4
Difficulty: medium

Ingredients

4 servings

12 large eggs
11/2 cup heavy cream
11/3 cup confectioners sugar
1"1/4 cup almond flour or almond meal (see cooks note, below)", 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
11/8 teaspoon salt
12 firm-ripe Bartlett pears (1 pound total)
12 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
11 cup raspberries (5 ounces)
11/2 cup seedless grapes (3 ounces)
13/4 cup sliced almonds (3 ounces)
11/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
14 (5 1/2- by 1-inch) shallow flameproof gratin dishes or a 12 1/2- by 7 1/2- by 1 1/2-inch shallow flameproof gratin dish

Instructions

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter gratin dishes.
Whisk together eggs, cream, confectioners sugar, almond flour, vanilla, and salt in a bowl until combined well. Quarter pears lengthwise, then peel, core, and cut into 1/2-inch-wide wedges. Toss pears with lemon juice in a bowl, then divide among gratin dishes. Divide raspberries and grapes among gratin dishes, then pour custard mixture over fruit. Sprinkle with almonds and dot with butter. Transfer gratin dishes to a shallow baking pan.
Bake until pears are tender, about 30 minutes. Preheat broiler and broil gratins 4 to 5 inches from heat until almonds are golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Cool on a rack to warm or room temperature before serving.