Frozen Plum Souffles With Cardamom Plum Sauce Food

FROZEN PLUM SOUFFLES WITH CARDAMOM-PLUM SAUCE

Steps:

• For souffles: Cut four 14x6-inch foil strips. Fold each in half lengthwise. Wrap 1 foil strip around each of four 3/4-cup soufflé dishes, forming collars that extend from base to above rim. Fold and crimp ends to secure.
• Combine chopped plums and 1/4 cup sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until mixture turns bright red and is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Transfer mixture to processor; puree until smooth. Cover; chill until cold.
• Whisk yolks, corn syrup, butter and 1/4 cup sugar in medium metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water); whisk constantly until candy thermometer registers 170°F, about 5 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Mix in cardamom. Using electric mixer, beat egg mixture until cool and thick, about 5 minutes.
• Beat cream, vanilla and 1/4 cup sugar in large bowl until stiff peaks form. Add plum puree to cream; fold together. Fold in egg mixture. Spoon mixture into soufflé dishes, dividing equally (mixture will extend above rim of dishes). Cover with plastic; freeze overnight or up to 1 week.
• For sauce: Combine chopped plums and sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until mixture turns bright red and is reduced to 1 1/3 cups, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Mix in 6 tablespoons water and cardamom. Transfer to processor and puree. Transfer sauce to bowl. Cover; chill until cold, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Carefully remove foil from soufflés. Drizzle some sauce over each. Top with plum slices. Serve with remaining sauce.

DAMSON PLUM CARDAMOM JAM

Steps:

• In a sink full of cool water, rinse and de-stem the plums. Place them in a thick-bottomed pan suitable for slow cooking and deep enough to allow frothing when the plums begin to boil. Add the water and cardamom pods and bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat. Turn heat to low for a slow simmer and allow the fruit to cook down uncovered for 1 1/2 hours. Allow the plums to cool.
• To pit the plums, strain the cooled plums with a colander, pressing the juice out with your hands and collecting it in a large bowl. Pick up the pit-and-fruit slurry in the colander by small handfuls and squeeze the plum pulp and skins gently into the bowl with the syrup, retaining the pits in the palm of your hand and then discarding them.
• Put the plums back into the original pot with the sugar and butter. Cook at a very low simmer until the mixture begins to thicken, about 4 hours. To test for adequate development of pectin, drop a spoonful of the jam on a plate and put it in the refrigerator for a few minutes: the mixture should be soft-set and no longer syrupy.
• Ladle the hot jam into hot, sterile jars, wipe the rims clean, place sterile lids on, and tighten the screw caps. Allow the jars to cool to room temperature and check to be sure that each jar has sealed.

PLUM FREEZER JAM WITH CARDAMOM AND GINGER

Steps:

• Bring plums and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan, then reduce heat to low and simmer until plums begin to soften and liquid is reduced by about half, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, finely grate ginger, then squeeze juice into a small bowl; discard pulp.
• Combine sugar and pectin in a large bowl. Add plum mixture, lemon juice, pepper, cardamom, and 1 tsp. ginger juice (discard any remaining juice), then stir constantly for about 3 minutes to activate pectin. Using a potato masher or fork, break up any large plum pieces, then let cool at least 30 minutes.
• Ladle jam into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2" from the top to allow for expansion. Cover and chill.
• Do Ahead
• Jam can be made and chilled for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 1 year.