It was in spring a few years back, that eight of us gals from MGCC met up at the tulip fields of La Conner Washington. Once we were done trekking through the fields, we all went to Seeds Bistro for lunch. Though we had no intention of having dessert, the server talked us into sharing their specialty dessert that day...a salted caramel budino. One dessert. Eight spoons. We all had a taste. I wrote down the name, one I had never heard of before. Budino is the Italian word for custard or pudding. Here is my attempt at replicating the 'sweet ending' we had in La Conner that day.
Cookie Crust:
- 1 cup finely ground chocolate wafer cookie crumbs
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Budino:
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 1/2 cups half-and-half or whole milk
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1 large egg plus two egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- In large, heavy saucepan, combine brown sugar, water, maple syrup and salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and whisk in the half-and-half and whipping cream. Stir until smooth.
- In separate bowl, whisk the eggs and cornstarch until smooth. Add to the brown sugar mixture in a slow stream, whisking constantly. Return to medium heat and continue to whisk until mixture thickens and is the consistency of pudding (about three minutes).
- Divide among six to eight prepared dessert dishes.
- Cover and chill until ready to serve.
- Spoon one or two tablespoons of caramel sauce (recipe below) over each budino. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup half-and-half cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Combine brown sugar, half-and-half, butter and salt in a saucepan.
- Cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, whisking gently...until mixture begins to thicken.
- Add vanilla and cook for another minute.
- Cool to room temperature. (It can be made in advance and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before using or heat in microwave at 5 second intervals. Add a wee bit of cream if it is too thick.)
We went to La Connor last year and found Seeds by accident, we liked it better than any in La Connor, we found the food amazing and tasty and good for a person..The fields are not opening up in Mt. Vernon and La Connor on its regularly scheduled times this year toooo much rain and other things the tulips are not opening up, the daffodils are abundant but we grow so many in our yard we have no need to visit, we will wait til the middle of april to visit La Connor not impressed by the crowds and rude visitors in Mt. Vernon and we do plan on a feast at the Seeds restaurant in fact I e-mailed them today and we will definitely be excited to try their new spring menu..Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy God's day each & everyday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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ReplyDeleteThis was a delightful dessert, especially shared as friends!
You had me at caramel...and custard.
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories and dessert!
ReplyDeleteOh boy that looks and sounds so good - my mouth is watering. We enjoyed salted caramel gelato in FL the last few weeks and I'm craving that flavour now!
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