Stewed Blackberries and Custard

Stewed Blackberries and Custard

Ingredients:

For the fruit
= 700 gr blackberries
= 200 ml elderflower cordial
= 7 pieces lemon zest, remove with potato peeler

For the Custard
= 275 ml whole milk
= 1 vanilla pod, split lengthways
= 3 large egg yolks
= 50 gr caster sugar

You need a lidded, flameproof oven dish measuring approximately 10in(25.5cm) in diameter and 2in(5cm) deep.

Way to make

1. Pre heat the oven 325'F (170'C). Put the blackberries in the dish and place over a low heat (this is just to get the dish hot for the oven). Pour the elderflower cordial over the top of the berries and mix in the lemon zest. Allow to simmer and then put the lid on.

2. Place the dish on the middle shelf of the oven for 20 minutes. After this time, have a look at the contents and give the dish a brief shake-do not stir it as this may break up yhe blackberries.

3. Depending on the ripness of the fruit, they may need a further 10 minutes to be thoroughly cooked through and soft. Remove from the oven, take off the lid and allow to cool. Once the fruit is cool, remove the lemon zest.

For The Custard:
Heat the milk with the vanilla pod in a heavy-based pan until almost boiling. Remove from the heat and whisk for a few seconds to release the vanilla seeds into the milk. Then, in a bowl, briefly beat the egg yolks and sugar together and strain the hot milk over the mixture, whisking as you go.
Return the whole lot to the pan and cook over a very low heat, using a heat diffuser if you have one, until lightly thickened. This will take about 10 minutes. If you curdle the custard, a blast in a liquidiser will resque it. Cover with clingfilm and leave to cool. Serve at room temperature with stewed blackberries.
To serve this custard with fresh strawberries add Cointreau, to taste, to the cooled custard