Rhubarb Clafoutis

• Posted on 12 July 2021
• Posted in Garden Kitchen
• 0

There is nothing more delicious than rhubarb clafoutis for dessert. It is one of the best traditional recipes for enjoying the strongly acidic taste of this seasonal product. Native to China, Russia, Siberia and Mongolia, this plant has been used for thousands of years thanks to the many therapeutic virtues of its root. It has been part of the culinary world since the 17th century. Why not take the opportunity to prepare a rhubarb clafoutis at home?

A brief overview of rhubarb

Rhubarb comes from the Latin word "rheubarbum", which also comes from the Greek name "rheum barbarum" and literally means "barbarian root". This name was given to it because it is only appreciated by foreigners, known as "barbarians". The plant originated in Asia centuries ago and appears on the market between April and July. Although it was initially used for therapeutic purposes, its consumption in Europe began around the 18th century. It was Marco Polo who brought it back from its continent of origin in the 16th century.
It is a hardy plant that is perfectly acclimatised in France, where it has been cultivated since the 19th century. Only the stems are edible and can reach up to 1 m in height. The enlarged, wavy leaves, on the other hand, are highly poisonous. Rhubarb can grow in a temperate climate with constantly moist soil. It requires little maintenance, but large amounts of water. To harvest this perennial herb, simply pull the stems out of the ground by hand without cutting them.

Benefits of eating rhubarb

Rhubarb is rich in fibre, vitamin C and antioxidants. It has many curative properties, including stimulating transit, curing venereal diseases and fighting various other pathologies. Consumption of this hardy plant has a number of benefits.
Rhubarb helps to lower cholesterol, especially bad cholesterol (LDL), without affecting the level of good cholesterol (HDL). The presence of insoluble fibres (cellulose, lignin, etc.) is very beneficial for the regulation of intestinal transit. Not to mention its antioxidant action, which is very beneficial to humans due to its vitamin C concentration.
This fruit helps to reduce oxidation and inflammation in the body. It also helps to prevent certain degenerative pathologies linked to ageing. In addition, this plant contains a wealth of minerals: calcium, manganese, vitamin K, whether cooked, raw or frozen. Want to strengthen your bones or teeth? A little rhubarb dish can certainly help.

How to prepare a rhubarb clafoutis?

Born of country tradition, rhubarb clafoutis is a recipe for baked pancake pastry, a little thicker than usual and decorated with fruit. It is a delicious dessert made with this seasonal product. For this you will need:

• Beautiful rhubarb stalks
• sugar
• flour
• eggs
• milk
• Mascarpone or double cream
• Liquid vanilla or vanilla bean seeds
• Cinnamon powder
• Pinch of salt

Start the preparation by peeling the rhubarb stalks, removing the filaments, and cutting them into sticks. To make the fruit more tender, it is best to soak it in sugar and drain it.
Now it's the turn of the dough while preheating the oven. Mix all the ingredients for the pancake batter in a bowl and whisk well. Pour the mixture into the buttered and sugared pan before arranging all the rhubarb pieces on top.

Bon Appétit!