FRENCH SEMOLINA CAKE WITH PISTACHIO CRèME ANGLAISE

French Semolina Cake with Pistachio Crème Anglaise image

I learned this recipe when I spent the summer in the kitchen of the Hotel Sofitel in Paris, some twenty-five years ago. Roland Durand, the chef, graciously accepted me as a stagiare, or apprentice, and I was able to work in all sections of the kitchen, including the butcher shop and bake shop. I love this cake for its texture, which is moist and rich-looking but very light, and for its versatility. It goes with so many different things, but it's also delicious all by itself. I like to dress it up with a Pistachio Crème Anglaise and some raspberries or tart cherries.

Yield makes 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

3 cups milk
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup semolina flour
6 tablespoons butter, softened
2 whole eggs, plus 6 separated eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Pistachio Crème Anglaise
Fresh berries or cherries, for garnish, optional
1 cup shelled pistachios
2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
8 egg yolks
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 9- or 10-inch springform pan, and wrap the outside of the pan with foil (this will ensure that no batter leaks out during the baking process).
In a heavy-bottomed 2-quart saucepan, combine the milk with half the sugar and bring to a boil. Stir in the semolina and cook over low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until thickened (about 10 minutes). Stir in half the butter and the remaining sugar. Remove from the heat and cool, stirring now and then. Stir in the remaining butter, the whole eggs plus 6 yolks, and the vanilla. In an electric mixer fitted with a whisk, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry, and fold by thirds into the semolina mixture. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Place the pan in a larger baking dish and add warm water to reach about halfway up the cake pan. Bake for 1 hour. Test with a toothpick or skewer to see if the cake is set and the crumb is dry. Remove from the oven and water bath and cool completely before removing from the pan. Serve with the crème anglaise and fresh berries or cherries.
Toast the nuts in a 350°F oven for a few minutes to dry them out and loosen the skins. Wrap the nuts in a dish towel and rub off the skins (as much as possible). When the nuts are cool, grind them very finely. Place the nuts, milk, and cream in a small saucepan and bring just to the boiling point. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for about 30 minutes. Strain through a fine strainer or cheesecloth and discard the nuts.
Using a 2-quart saucepan set over medium heat, whisk together the sugar, salt, and egg yolks. In a separate small saucepan, heat the pistachio milk just until it begins to boil, then whisk a small amount into the yolk mixture. Gradually add the remaining milk, stirring constantly. Continue to heat the mixture slowly, to just below the boiling point (but do not let it boil), until it thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the almond extract, and continue to stir for a few minutes. Strain the custard into a bowl and set aside or refrigerate until ready to use. To serve, spoon a generous pool of the custard onto a small dessert plate and top with a slice of the cake.