Cookie Cups with Lemon Thyme-Scented Berry Compote by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Cookie Cups with Lemon Thyme-Scented Berry Compote

Crisp wafers filled with just-picked berries and ice cream make an elegant dessert. Lemon thyme leaves give the compote a unique fragrance; whole sprigs make a lovely garnish. This is a special-occasion dessert, but you can simplify it by omitting the cookie cups: the compote is delicious over ice cream or sorbet.

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
2 large egg whites
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Compote
4 teaspoons fresh lemon thyme leaves
3 cups mixed fresh berries, (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
2 tablespoons creme de cassis, or black currant syrup
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 cups reduced-fat vanilla ice cream, lemon sorbet or raspberry sorbet, slightly softened before serving
Lemon thyme sprigs for garnish

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Coat parchment with cooking spray.

To prepare cookie cups: Whisk flour, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Whisk egg whites, sugar, butter, oil and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth. Add dry ingredients and whisk until blended.

For each cookie cup, spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons batter onto a prepared baking sheet, allowing 2 cookies per baking sheet. With an offset metal spatula, spread each mound of batter into a 5 1/2- to 6-inch circle.

Bake cookies, one sheet at a time, until golden brown around the edges, 8 to 12 minutes. Have ready two 12-ounce custard cups (or similar bowls with a 3-inch base). As soon as the cookies are done, loosen from parchment with a wide metal spatula, then set inside the cups. Gently press each cookie into the bottom of the cup and pleat the sides to form a tulip shape. (If cookies become too brittle to shape, return them to the oven for a minute or two to soften.)

To prepare compote: Place lemon thyme in a mortar or small bowl; bruise with a pestle or wooden spoon to release its fragrance. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add 1/4 cup berries and mash with a fork. Add creme de cassis (or black currant syrup), lemon juice and sugar, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Add remaining berries and stir gently to coat with sauce.

To assemble desserts: Place cookie cups on individual plates. Fill each with a scoop of ice cream (or sorbet), spoon on compote and garnish with lemon thyme sprigs.

Tip:

The cookies are pliable only while hot, so work quickly. Have a wide metal spatula and two 12-ounce custard cups (or similar bowls) ready before baking.