Congo Fool

Description

Fool is old-fashioned custard and fruit dessert native to England, but popular in English-speaking Africa. In the original English Fool, gooseberries are traditionally used. In Africa, the custard may be made from coconut milk, and tropical fruits such as mangoes are substituted. In fact, mango Fool is popular among the Safari set.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ cup sugar
• 3 tbsp water
• 3 tbsp sugar
• ripe fruit: two mangoes, or one papaya, or two bananas, peeled, seeds (if any) removed, and cut into pieces

Directions

1. Make the custard from the first three ingredients: heat the milk in a double boiler, or in a saucepan over low heat.
2. Do not boil.
3. In a bowl, mix the half cup of sugar into the beaten eggs.
4. Slowly add about a quarter of the heated milk to the egg-sugar mixture, while stirring continuously.
5. Slowly stir the egg-sugar-milk mixture into the remaining heated milk.
6. Cook on low heat, until it thickens into custard, stirring gently and continuously.
7. Spoon it into a clean bowl and place in the refrigerator to cool.
8. While the custard is cooling, cook the fruit: bring the water and three tablespoons of sugar to a boil in a saucepan.
9. Add fruit pieces.
10. Reduce heat and cook until tender, 5 – 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
11. Mash fruit, or press it through a sieve.
12. Spoon it into a clean bowl and place in the refrigerator to cool.
13. To serve, gently fold together custard and fruit.
14. Spoon the mixture into serving bowls.
15. Top with whipped cream, if desired.
16. Serve immediately.