I recently won a cookbook through Food Network Canada’s “blog” section. It’s part of the overall site but here you can read all the upcoming Food Network shows, specials, previews, behind the scene interviews, and read from fellow bloggers who guest write.

I won a cookbook that features recipes from Chile. This South American country is well known for it’s wines but why on earth they haven’t promoted their rich cuisine is beyond me!

I’ve looked through the book a few times and one sees alot of Mediterranean flavours & influences mixed with some South American ingredients. I’m excited to try some of these recipes and actually introduce myself (and all of you) to some new ingredients!

I’ll start off with something easy but I’ve never tried it before, clafoutis. I had a bag of mixed berries in my freezer and their time had come. Although a clafoutis is French in origin, I see that it’s influence has reached as far as Chile!

A clafoutis is an easy dessert, whipped up in minutes and perhaps a good choice as a dessert offering if you have surprise visitors. It’s easy, quick, forgiving and substitutions could be easily made, much like a pizza. Pick your fruit or array of fruit and try out a clafoutis.

Clafoutis of Mixed Berries

Butter
6 cups of assorted berries
4 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup Cognac or brandy
1 tsp finely grated orange zest
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup of sugar
pinch of salt
icing sugar for dusting (about a 1/4 cup)

1. Preheat your oven to 325F. Butter individual bowls/ramekins (I used 4 that were 5 inches in diameter) and distribute the berries in them and set aside.
2. In a bowl, place the eggs, milk and brandy and whip until blended. Add the orange zest, cinnamon, flour, sugar and salt and mix throughly. Pour into the reserved bowls over the berries (leave 1/4 of the berries exposed).
3. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve warm.