Financiers en Aperitif

 

7 T. butter

½ C. ground almonds

¼ C. all-purpose flour

1½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp sugar

3 eggs, separated

½ tsp salt

5 oz cheese, ham, bacon, olives, cherry tomatoes, or leftover roasted vegetables (whatever you fancy really)

 

Preheat the oven to 350°F and butter and flour a financier pan.* Start melting the butter in a pan over a medium heat. Carry on melting until the butter turns a dark golden brown (this is called beurre noisette), then immediately take the pan off the heat. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Whisk the egg whites and salt to soft peaks in another bowl. Beat the egg yolks in a third bowl, and slowly incorporate the warm butter (if the butter is still very hot, it will curdle the eggs). Sift the dry ingredients into the egg and butter mix and then fold in half the egg whites followed by the cheese, ham, bacon, etc. Fold in the rest of the egg whites. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 12–15 minutes or until the cakes spring back when touched. Leave to cool in the pan. Financiers are best eaten the same day, but will keep in an airtight container for a couple of days.