BLACK GARLIC DESSERT Dumplings with Maple Syrup Sauce

Sweet but not too sweet

Black Garlic introduces a unique twist to this dessert, where sweet and savoury ingredients combine, creating a delightful mix of tastes and textures. Consider the harmonious pairings of balsamic vinegar and ripe strawberries, sea salt and caramel, black pepper and chocolate, or blue cheese and figs; these are all acceptable treats on restaurant menus of today.

In this delectable dessert, black garlic and maple syrup combine to create a decadent dessert with a savoury hint. Combining the maple syrup’s sweetness and black garlic’s caramelised flavour creates a fantastic synergy. Maple syrup infuses a rich, natural sweetness. At the same time, the black garlic’s complex, umami-driven caramelisation adds depth and a subtle hint of savoury intrigue. Together, they elevate this dessert and offer taste sensations that will tantalise your palate.

Last minute dessert cooked in a flash

Microwaves first became a common household appliance in the 1980s. Our household purchased its first microwave in 1985 after the birth of my 2nd son. Mistakenly, I thought I could put a meal on the dinner table in double quick time and with a minimal amount of fuss and dirty dishes. Perhaps this was the real birth of Meals Made Easy. Little did I know there was quite a learning process ahead of me!

My microwave came with a recipe book of which Golden Syrup Dumplings was one of those that became a winter favourite. There have been several adaptations over the years (black garlic puree is one of those). Still, it has always been cooked with a packet of shortcrust pastry mixed with water to form a light dough. Nowadays, it is a cross between dumplings and a jam roly-poly.

Cooking a Black Garlic Dessert in the microwave is perfect because the steam created during the process results in soft, succulent dumplings full of flavour.

As we learnt quickly, not everything can be cooked in a microwave, but they do have their advantages: –

• Speed and Convenience: Desserts can be ready in minutes, making it an excellent choice for those with limited time or a sudden sweet craving. There is no need to preheat the oven; just pop the dish into the microwave, select the power level, and time. Presto!
• Retains Moisture: The sealed environment helps retain moisture in desserts, making them less likely to dry out during cooking. This is beneficial for recipes where moisture is essential for a soft and tender result.
• Energy Efficient: Microwaves are generally more energy-efficient than ovens. They use less electricity and produce less heat, which can be advantageous in hot weather or if you’re trying to save on energy costs.
• Even Heating: Microwaves heat food evenly, which can help prevent overcooking or burning in some dessert recipes. It ensures that your dessert is cooked consistently from edge to centre.

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BLACK GARLIC DESSERT Dumplings with Maple Syrup Sauce

Ingredients

• 180 gms shortcrust pastry mix 1 1/3 cups
• 1/3 cup cold water to mix
• 1 tbsp black garlic puree
• 75 gms walnuts chopped
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup lemon juice

Instructions

• Place dry pastry mix into a bowl and mix with water to form a light dough.
• Knead and then roll into a rough rectangle (approx 250 x 350cm).
• Spread with black garlic puree and sprinkle with walnuts, leaving a 2cm border along the long edges.
• Starting at the long edge, roll up into a loose sausage or log, and seal the final edge with a brush of water.
• Cut into 3cm pieces, place the pieces cut side up into a glass Pyrex dish.
• Make maple syrup sauce by blending syrup, water and lemon juice in a glass jug and heating in the microwave until just beginning to boil.
• Carefully pour hot sauce around the dumplings in a Pyrex dish.
• Cover and microwave on Medium heat for 6 minutes.
• Cool slightly, then serve in individual bowls with a dollop of cream, custard or ice cream.

Top Tips: 

• It may seem like a lot of lemon juice, but I find it cuts through the sweetness of the sauce. Perhaps add half and taste before gradually adding the rest.
• Bake with the lid on as this creates steam and produces soft dumplings.
• Microwave on MEDIUM.  Or you can oven bake, but again with the lid on.
• If preferred, bake as a roly-poly. Score the log into sections, place the whole log in a dish and pour the sauce around the sides of the dish.

Alternative Suggestions:

1. Swap maple syrup with golden syrup or honey. However, I love the classic combination of walnuts and maple syrup.
2. Add sultanas or diced apple.
3. Swap walnuts with pecans or nuts of your choice.

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Are maple syrup and golden syrup the same thing?

Maple syrup is a natural syrup derived from the maple tree. It has a distinctive, rich, and complex flavour with sweet, caramelized notes and a hint of woodiness. In contrast, golden syrup is made from sugar cane or sugar beet. It has a milder, neutral sweetness with a light, buttery flavour and a golden colour. While both syrups add sweetness, they have unique flavours and applications, with maple syrup celebrated for its natural, earthy taste and golden syrup valued for its versatility and mild sweetness.

Do you cook dumplings with the lid on or off?

When cooking sweet dumplings, placing the lid on the dish will create a steam-rich environment, crucial for producing light and fluffy dumplings. The trapped steam helps cook the dumplings evenly from all sides, ensuring they rise and expand while remaining tender on the inside. On the other hand, leaving the lid off during cooking allows for evaporation, resulting in dumplings with a slightly drier and denser texture. If a crusty top is desired, you will need to cook in a conventional oven with the lid off. Overall, the choice between lid on and lid off depends on the desired texture. 

Why are my dumplings not fluffy?

If using a traditional dough, the secret is not to overwork the dough. If using pastry mix as in Black garlic dessert – Dumplings with maple syrup, the pastry mix is much more forgiving and almost foolproof if cooked with the lid on.

BLACK GARLIC DESSERT Dumplings with Maple Syrup Sauce

Conclusion

Although desserts don’t rate highly in a nutritious diet, the addition of black garlic puree, walnuts and swapping golden syrup for maple syrup feels like I have at least attempted to make it healthier. Well, that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!

• • • • 👉  Culinary Ideas with Black Garlic