Christmas

Amontillado Dessert Sauce

by:
November 12, 2014
5
2 Ratings
Amontillado Dessert Sauce
  • Makes About a cup
Author Notes

While wandering through my 1950 edition of “The Gourmet Cookbook” in search of an old-school brandy sauce for my steamed holiday puddings, I stumbled on two different recipes for sherry sauce. My mother was particularly fond of a good Amontillado, and she passed that on to me. I’ve combined the two recipes, taking the best of each. The “secret ingredient” in this – jam – makes good use of any odd bits you have lingering in that near-empty jar in your fridge. This pantry-friendly sauce goes well over roast pears (I’ll be posting a recipe for that, soon) and slices of pound cake, toasted or not. We've been known to drizzle it over hot sticky buns on holiday mornings, for a rather grownup treat, and spooning it over biscuits, topping with strawberries. When I tasted the first batch that I made, I could not help asking myself, “Why don’t we cook this way more often?” Put this one in your “lost treasures” file. Enjoy!! ;o) —AntoniaJames

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 heaping tablespoon sugar
  • Zest of one lemon
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup Amontillado or other dry sherry (I like the Lustau Solera Riserva Los Arcos)
  • 1 heaping tablespoon of apricot jam (or nectarine, or peach, but see note below)
  • 4 egg yolks
  • ½ cup cream, scalded
Directions
  1. In the top of a double boiler over simmering water (or bowl fitted over, but not touching, simmering water in a standard saucepan), stir together the sugar, lemon zest and nutmeg. Add the sherry and the jam and whisk together to blend thoroughly.
  2. Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time, whisking briskly all the while. After blending in the last yolk, start stirring with a wooden spoon, and continue to stir, constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of the spoon. Don’t worry about any slightly harder bits around the edges of the bowl; just bring them back into the sauce and continue to stir.
  3. When the sauce is thick, whisk in the hot cream until thoroughly blended.
  4. Strain and serve. I hope you enjoy this.
  5. NB: This is best served warm or hot. It holds well for a day or two, and can be reheated in a microwave on medium-low power, stirring well after every half minute or so, or in the top of a double boiler.
  6. Also marvelous with quince jam, which gives the sauce a slightly pink hue.
  7. This recipe was created by Food52 member AntoniaJames.
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2 Reviews

AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames December 14, 2015
breanne, thank you for your kind words and especially your warm wishes and gratitude. You are so sweet. I just sent you a note via the messaging system. If you receive it, you can respond by email (I've included my email address). If not, please post another note here, and we'll take it from there. ;o)
 
breanne
breanne December 12, 2015
dearest AntoniaJames,
I've been a food52er for several years now, and am used to seeing your name often in the comment pages, followed with the byline "AJ is a trusted source on baking"... I was wondering if i could get your advice. I looked for a way to send you a private message but couldn't find one, so i hope this method of reaching out to you isn't considered inappropriate. I am hoping to make some sticky buns for a food loving coworker, and after an exhausting (although mouthwatering) search, I am unable to find a plain ole sticky bun recipe I believe in. Most have delicious sounding modifications, but I'm looking for an original. I was wondering if you had a favourite recipe to recommend? I am sending you so much gratitude and warm wishes in advance!
PS. the cabbage pie you saved changed my life and is in regular rotation in my kitchen.