Cheese Timbales With Tomato Coulis

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 5 eggs
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• black pepper, freshly ground
• 1/2 cup gruyere cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

For the Tomato Coulis

• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 1/4 cup onion, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Whisk together the milk, eggs, cayenne, salt and pepper. Stir in the cheeses. Spoon mixture into 6 six-ounce ramekins. Place ramekins in a shallow pan and pour hot water around them to a depth of 1 inch. Bake in preheated 350 F oven for 45 minutes until lightly browned.

2. 2

   While timbales bake, prepare the tomato coulis. Heat the butter or olive oil in a nonreactive pan and saute the onion and garlic until softened. Add the tomato paste, water, thyme, salt and pepper. Stir to blend all ingredients and simmer 3-4 minutes.

3. 3

   Timbales may be served in the ramekins or turn out onto small plates. Spoon the warm tomato coulis over or around the timbales.

4. 4

   Serves 6.

5. 5

   Note: Tomato coulis is delicious on poached chicken or fish.