Clafoutis with Coconuts and Figs
This sweet dish contains warm custard, soft figs, and just the right amount of coconut added in multiple ways. You can’t go wrong with these little individual tasty treats!
I grew up learning how to cook from a legend, although I didn’t really know it at the time. This Clafoutis recipe, filled with the fresh Californian figs of my present and the delicious coconut of my past, embodies everything that Julia Child meant to me and so many like me.
The Past
I never liked sitting at a desk. I ignored the teachers and I ignored my parents. But I never ignored my homework. I just liked doing it at the piano bench.
It was probably an odd sight, if you were to go back in time to my home in New York, in the little living room where the upright piano anchored one wall. I claimed the piano bench every afternoon — it was my favorite little spot, and I would teeter on the balls of my feet as I worked on language arts and math. Maybe I liked it because I loved tracing the dark wood grain, maybe I liked it because I liked to imagine it was an antique desk, maybe I liked it because with one quick glance, I could see what my mom was cooking up in the kitchen. Or maybe it was for the company.
Julia joined me on many afternoons in that living room. As my number two pencil moved efficiently through my workbooks (you see, despite not being at a proper desk, I was, without a doubt, very good at finishing my homework), her bubbly and endearing nasal chuckle would echo through my television set. She would debone a chicken while I figured out fractions. She would frost a cake while I analyzed sentence structures.
She was, perhaps, my first teacher in cooking, even before my mother. Little did I know that while I was working on academics, she was teaching me, too, leaving an indelible mark. Long before I knew what Clafoutis was, I just thought that she was an entertaining lady.
The Present
It wasn’t until adulthood that I picked up a copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but when I cooked my first dish from that book, I felt her presence as I seared my chicken and stirred the mushroom sauce. And I know I am not alone in feeling as though I have a guardian angel in the kitchen when I work from her book.
So, as the world celebrates Julia Child’s legacy on what would have been her 100th birthday, I must raise my glass as well. Thank you, Julia, for those afternoons. Thank you for doing homework with me. Thank you for being a teacher.
To celebrate, I made Coconut Fig Clafoutis. It is rustic and custardy, and I do believe Julia would be happy to sink her spoon into one. I hope you do, too.
Recipes Starring Coconut
Cherry Coconut Cobbler
Coconut Ube Rolls
Zucchini Coconut Coffee Cake
Mocha Coconut Granola
Recipes Focusing on Soft and Sweet
Coconut Custard Tart with Chocolate Ganache
Rhubarb Bread Pudding
Custard Cake
Coconut Leche Flan
Coconut Fig Clafoutis
Ingredients
Clafoutis Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh figs trimmed and quartered
- 1 cup light coconut milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 cup sugar optional, if fruit is not sweet
Coconut Sugar Topping Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In the jar of the blender, place the coconut milk, heavy cream, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, salt, and flour (Julia recommends following this precise order). Blend at high speed for 1 minute. Strain into a bowl or pitcher and set in the refrigerator while preparing the ramekin dishes. This can also be done the night before.
- Butter 6-8 ramekin dishes and place on a baking sheet. Pour a little batter into each (about 1/2 inch) and place into oven for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from oven, and arrange the figs in each ramekin, sprinkle a little sugar on the fruit, then pour remaining batter over the figs.
- Return the ramekins into the oven and bake for about 35 minutes, or until the clafoutis has puffed and turned a golden brown.
- Meanwhile, toast the coconut flakes in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently. When the coconut is golden, stir in the sugar and set aside.
- Remove from oven. The clafoutis will collapse. Sprinkle coconut sugar over each and serve while warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
I love the story Liren, and the fig clafoutis looks divine.
I just adore this:). Julia would as well! Figs, coconut, and cream just belong together.
I had my favorite spot to do homework, too, though it wasn’t the piano bench (I took lessons also). Similarly, I remember sounds from the TV in the background though they were probably more from the kids from the Brady Bunch rather than Julia Child. She was indeed an entertaining lady though I was introduced to her a little later than you were. What a perfect dish for such sweet memories. :)
I remember watching Julia with my mom. We would very much enjoy those afternoons with her. These coconut fig clafoutis are just beautiful and would make Julia proud Im sure :)
This is such a perfect post dedicated to Julia Child! Figs are now in season here in Greece and this clafoutis sounds like the perfect thing to use them on!
Such a touching post…I didn’t grow up watching Julia but I sure loved it 14 years ago when i saw her face on the Tv.
Recipe that you picked, well …it has everything that I really love especially figs and coconuts…This look as it sounds “perfect”!!!!! Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
Wonderful, heart-warming story, Liren! And perfect company for this retro-with-a-twist coconut fig clafoutis! Love it! Wish I can have a bite now…Sigh…
Loving the tributes to Julia today. So special and what an eye candy!
I am so happy to see all of the Julia celebrations today! I just love this.
What a sweet tribute to Julia! I think you’re right, she’d love your clafoutis! :)
Liren, what a lovely tribute and a charming childhood story. I can just picture the scene – and I’m not at all surprised that you were dedicated to your homework. This recipe sounds divine! Simple enough for everyday but elegant enough for a dinner party.