Tuesday, July 22, 2008

TWD: Cherry Rhubarb Cobbler



I wasn't sure what to make of this week's TWD challenge. Rhubarb is something I've never tried before, let alone purchased, prepped, and baked with. I was eager for the challenge, as my blogging partner, Erin, loves rhubarb. Every summer, I see this mysterious pale pink stalk-like vegetable, in bins next to the celery and eggplant and wonder if I can load up a dessert with enough sugar to tame the sour that rhubarb brings to the party. I say this because one of my favorite patients (I'm a physical therapist, I don't think I've mentioned that, yet) told me her husband only had eyes for her rhubarb pie, and her secret was a full 2 cups of sugar! Luckily, Ms. Greenspan's recipe cleverly uses the sweetness of cherries to its full advantage. I was ready to try this. I bought the rhubarb, brought it home, scrubbed it clean, trimmed it, and peeled a layer of it off, like celery, as instructed by Dorie. I pitted my cherries, using a paper clip contraption because I have yet to purchase a cherry pitter. One of these cherries was determined to cling to its pit and even after digging around in the bowl, I couldn't seem to locate this rogue cherry pit. So, I chalked it up to my imagination playing tricks on me and figured the pit never actually made it into my bowl of pitted cherries. I really should have been more careful, because I was serving this dish to 5 other people, 4 of whom are lawyers. Luckily my husband ended up with the cherry pit and luckily, he didn't break a tooth. Unfortunately, I have a birthday coming up and needless to say, he's told me that all I'm getting this year is a stupid cherry pitter.
I'm so glad I tried this recipe. I enjoyed the dichotomy of sour and sweet which melded together beautifully after 45 minutes in the oven. The topping is really unique, as it uses whole wheat flour and ginger as well. I tweaked it a little by adding 1/2 cup of cornmeal ala David Lebovitz who made a jam tart last week with cornmeal and whole wheat flour. I loved the texture and pleasant grit the cornmeal gave to the topping. And thank you, Steph, from A Whisk and a Spoon, and Jacque of Daisy Lane Cakes for your advice on rhubarb. I was ready to give up, so thank you for responding on the TWD help board! For the full recipe, please visit Amanda, our hostess for this week's challenge, at Like Sprinkles on a Cupcake. And do check out what all the other TWD bloggers have created by visiting TWD and clicking on each blogger. Thanks!

17 comments:

Erin | Naturally Ella said...

One of my first thoughts when I saw rhubarb was oh no, sugar here I come. The cherries seem to be a good addition to deal with the tartness. Cute stars too!

Anonymous said...

Adorable topping! Very nice.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tip on the grocery store! I will definitely be checking it out! Your cobbler is gorgeous- those stars are so cute!

(And I got a pit in mine as well! hahaha!)

hoagiefest 2020 said...

Love the stars! I pitted mine with a butter knife and my bare hands, which was a bit of a mess. I didn't even know you could use contraptions for it!

Jules Someone said...

Looks beautiful! I happen to love rhubarb, so this one was a good choice for me. I pitted using a knife and a cutting board. It was carnage.

Boo & Bee said...

I've heard of cherry picking, but cherry pitting! Uh looks like Texas has taught you something after all :) Can you ship me this pie, it looks amazing! Name that Southpark episode "Women go into the kitchen and bake me a pie!" The pics looks awesome.

MacDuff said...

SO gorgeous!

Susie Homemaker said...

(un) lucky of your hub to get the pit! better than being sued!! ha! great post...and i love the stars!

April said...

I'm another person who loves your stars! I had never used rhubarb either but I was pleasantly suprised, it's pretty good.

steph- whisk/spoon said...

your welcome! cornmeal in the topping sounds good, and love the stars! glad you liked the rhubarb!

Engineer Baker said...

Cornmeal sounds delicious in this! I love the texture it brings to baked goods. Beautiful cobbler!

Pamela said...

Beautiful! Love the stars. Nice job.

Eleganza Strings/ The DeLadurantey Family said...

I love your little stars!

Hannah

Nickki said...

Looks gorgeous! Love the star topping :)

CB said...

Adorable dough stars! I giggled about your flippant cherry pit. You just gave me a good idea to convince my hubs to get me one too! HAHA. Great job!
Clara @ iheartfood4thought

Aaliyah said...

I like your little stars! How cute. Your cobbler looks wonderful and I look forward to your post next week!

Jacque said...

Well... you're welcome! :)

Your cobbler looks fantastic with the stars! Very pretty... wish I'd have thought of it :)