Popunders

 

These custardy cups don’t achieve the same height as their lofty cousins, but in exchange they are the perfect vehicle for preserves both sweet and savory. They also reheat better and can be made in mini-muffin tins and filled. They are especially great as part of an appetizer menu, filled with savory items, such as small spoonfuls of chutney and a few crumbles of cheese.

 

Nonstick spray, for muffin pan

1 C. whole milk

2 large eggs

1 C. all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp. fine sea salt

1/4 C. jam or chutney

 

Spray a 12-C. muffin pan thoroughly with nonstick spray.  Combine the milk, eggs, flour, and salt in a blender and purée until smooth, about 30 seconds, scraping the sides down once. Divide the batter evenly in the prepared muffin  pan. Each cavity will be about a third of the way full. Place the muffin pan in a cold oven and set it to 450°F/232°C. Bake until they brown and puff up a bit, 18 to 22 minutes. Try not to open the oven too often to check them, as it slows down the baking time. They should remain concave in the center, but if they do puff all over, know that they will settle back down. Popunders (and popovers) are best served warm, so plan on serving these as soon as they come out of the oven. If you do have leftovers, they are best reheated in a toaster oven. If you’re serving them all at once, fill each concave center with about 1 tsp. of jam. If they’ve puffed more than you’d like, press the centers down with a spoon before filling. Note: For more traditional popovers with airy lift, preheat the oven prior to baking and divide the batter between just 8 muffin or popover cavities in an oiled, straight-sided muffin pan.