Chai Poached Apricots And Plums Food

CHAI-POACHED APRICOTS AND PLUMS

Steps:

• Combine sugar and 3 cups water in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan. Halve vanilla bean lengthwise with a paring knife and scrape seeds into pan, then add pod. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved.
• Add plums and simmer, uncovered, 3 minutes. Add apricots and tea bags and return to a simmer. Cook fruit, gently stirring once or twice, 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
• Allow tea bags to steep with fruit in syrup 15 minutes (fruit will continue to soften as it steeps), then remove bags, gently squeezing liquid from them into syrup. Transfer compote to a bowl or jar and cool, gently stirring occasionally.
• *Available at nutsonline.com.
• **Available at apricot-farm.com.

POACHED PLUMS

Steps:

• To prepare the plums: wash and cut them into quarters, then remove the stones.
• Tip the sugar into a pan with 225ml water, the cinnamon and vanilla. Gently heat until the sugar dissolves.
• Slide the fruit into the syrup. Bring the pan to the boil, then let it simmer for 5-10 mins - depending on the ripeness - until the plums are soft. Leave to cool slightly and serve as they are with something creamy.

VANILLA POACHED PLUMS

Steps:

• cut vanilla bean in half lengthwise.
• Scrape seeds into a small bowl, discard bean (or place in a container of sugar for a very pleasant vanilla scented sugar) Add sugar, and stir well.
• Place plums in a 1 quart baking dish, add sugar mixture and lemon juice, tossing gently to coat.
• Dot with margarine, cover and bake at 400f degrees for 20 minutes or until plums are tender, stirring once.

POACHED SPICED PLUMS

Steps:

• Combine plums, sugar, anise,cinnamon sticks and vinegar in saucepan.
• Bring to boil, stirring gently until sugar has dissolved.
• Cook then gently for 5 - 6 minutes until plums are tender.
• Serve as desired.

CHAI SPICED PEAR GALETTE

Steps:

• For the pie dough: Combine the flour and salt in a food processor. Add the butter cubes and yogurt and pulse until pea-size bits of butter remain.
• Add the vodka to the food processor and pulse until the dough pulls together. Do not over process.
• Remove the dough from the machine and form into 2 disks. Do not over knead, just barely bring the dough together. Flatten each disk and wrap tightly with plastic to rest and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour minimum.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F with a rack in the center.
• For the chai spice mix: In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Mix to combine and set aside.
• In a small saucepot, combine the brown sugar, honey, lemon juice, vanilla paste, 1 tablespoon of the chai spice mix and 1/4 cup water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. When the sugar has completely dissolved, turn off the heat. Whisk until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
• When ready to use, pull 1 disk from the refrigerator (save the other disk for another use). Lightly flour the counter. Roll out the pie dough into a 1/4-inch-thick round. (Because the galette is freeform, the dough doesn't have to be exactly round.) Transfer the dough round to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Trim the top and bottom of each pear and cut in half lengthwise. Using a spoon or melon scooper, remove the core and seeds. Place the flat side of the pear on the cutting board and slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• Place the pear slices on top of dough, overlapping slightly. Keep the filling flat and compact, leaving a 3-inch border on all sides so you can fold the edges over the filling.
• Drizzle enough syrup over the pears so they are all coated, but stop if the syrup is leaking out from under the fruit and onto the pastry. Fold the dough over the pears, overlapping where necessary and gently pressing to adhere the folds. Add more syrup to the center if desired.
• Transfer the sheet pan and galette to the refrigerator to chill for 20 minutes. In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water to make an egg wash.
• Just before the galette is ready to go into the oven, sprinkle the exposed fruit with walnuts. Use a pastry brush to brush the pie dough with egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
• Bake the galette on the center rack at 425 degrees F for 10 minutes, then lower the temperature to 350 degrees F and bake until the crust is golden brown and feels firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
• When completely cool and ready to serve, garnish with a drizzle of honey over the entire galette, crust and all.

POACHED DRIED APRICOTS AND CURRANTS WITH ZABAGLIONE

Steps:

• Bring water, wine, sugar, honey, oranges, vanilla seeds, and spices to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves, about 8 minutes.
• Add apricots and currants. Cover, and cook until apricots have softened, about 30 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve, reserving liquid and transferring fruit to a bowl. Simmer liquid until reduced to 1 cup, about 6 minutes. Strain syrup through fine sieve. Pour syrup over fruit. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve with zabaglione.

POACHED APRICOTS WITH ROSEWATER

Steps:

• Put the sugar into a medium pan with 150ml water. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves, then add the apricots and simmer for 15 mins until soft. Take off the heat, splash in the rosewater and leave to cool. Spoon into glasses to serve, topped with a few dollops of the yogurt and a scattering of nuts.