Westfälische Götterspeise (Westfalian Ambrosia)

Thorsten's Note:

A very regional, a very typical, and a very unique dessert in the region of Westfalia (Northrhine Westfalia, Germany). One ingredient is essential: pumpernickel - a very dark but still moist rye bread. The westfalian ambrosia is based on curd, whipped cream and this very special ingredient pumpernickel. Sounds different, but I love this treat.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 25 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs 5 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

Cherry Layer

• 1 lb sour cherry (pitted)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons cognac
• lemon peel (about 2 inches)

Cream Layer

• ½ lb Quark
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• ½ lb whipping cream
• 3 -4 slices pumpernickel bread (to make 1/4 pounds)
• 2 ounces meringues (bought one, see note)
• 2 ounces hazelnuts , coarsely chopped
• 2 ounces sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Decoration

• 2 tablespoons grated chocolate
• 4 cherries
• hazelnuts

Directions:

1. Put cherries, sugar and lemon peel into pot, bring to a single boil and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
2. Take from heat, let cool slightly and add cognac. Divide cherries and fluid into 4 serving glasses. Pack the cherries, so that they make a dense layer. Cover with cling film and put into the fridge.
3. Toast the pumpernickel in the oven until it completely dry and slightly roasted. Take out of the oven and let cool completely. Chop the pumpernickel finely (I use the food processor). Add the very coarsely chopped hazel nuts and set aside.
4. In a bowl mix quark, sour cream, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
5. Chop the meringue very coarsely and add to the quark mixture. Mix carefully with a spoon.
6. Add the pumpernickel mixture and mix with a spoon.
7. Beat the whipping cream until stiff. Add to the quark mixture and fold in carefully. Do not overmix it.
8. Divide quark mixture into the four serving glasses, cover again and chill it for about 2 hours in the fridge.
9. To serve: take out of the fridge, sprinkle with some chocolate, add a few hazel nuts and a cherry.
10. NOTE on serving: you can premix the cherry layer with the cream layer. It looks not as fancy as the layered serving, but it taste as good as the layered one.
11. NOTE: you can store this dessert for one day in the fridge. It is even better the next day.
12. NOTE: you can use preserved cherries. But then don't cook the cherries. Cook only the fluid as described above. To thicken the fluid you can add cornstarch. Dilute 1 tsp in a bit of cold water and then add this mixture to the cooking fluid.
13. NOTE on meringue: you can sub the meringue here by "dry" cookies or butter cookies.