Fruit Paste Food

DRIED FRUIT PASTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl add the fruit, water and vanilla bean (optional), and let the fruit soak for 1-2 hours.
• In a blender add the mixture and blend until smooth. Add water if necessary to make it the consistency you need. If you are baking with this paste, use less water. Or you can use the soaking liquid for the paste.
• Store covered in the refrigerator up to one week.
• It can be frozen up to several months. This is where an ice-cube tray comes in handy.

FRUIT PASTE

Steps:

• Peel and slice the orange and apple then put them and the grapes in to a medium size mixing bowl.
• Use a potato masher or a meat cleaver to start mashing the ingredients to a pulp.
• Once the ingredients are mashed put the Smucker's in and mix well.
• Serve chilled.
• P.S. I love this spread on my egg salad sandwiches.

SEPHARDIC FRUIT PASTE CANDIES (DULCE DE FRUTA)

Steps:

• 1. Measure the fruit pulp and place in a heavy medium nonreactive saucepan (do not use iron, copper, or brass). Add 1 cup sugar for each cup of pulp. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and sputters, 30 to 50 minutes. Add the lemon juice and cook, stirring for 2 minutes.
• 2. Spread the fruit paste over a greased 13-by-9-inch baking pan or on a baking sheet to a 1-inch thickness. Let cool, then cut into squares or diamonds. Or form the warm fruit paste into 1-inch balls and, if desired, press a walnut half or blanched almond into each ball. Cover with waxed paper and let stand at room temperature overnight. If desired, dredge the candies in confectioners' or granulated sugar to coat. This helps to keep the candies from sticking together. Store between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container at room temperature.
• VARIATIONS
• Fruit and Almond Candies:
• Scatter 1 cup ground blanched almonds in a 13-by-9-inch baking pan or on a baking sheet, spread the fruit paste on top, and sprinkle another 1 cup ground almonds over the fruit paste.
• Dulce de Mansana (Sephardic Apple Candies):
• Cook 3 pounds (10 to 12 medium) coarsely chopped tart apples in 1 1/2 cups apple cider or water over medium heat until tender, 20 to 40 minutes. Drain and let cool. Press through a food mill or strainer. Or use 4 cups unsweetened applesauce.
• Dulce de Cayeci (Sephardic Apricot Candies):
• Soak 1 pound (about 3 1/4 cups) dried apricots in water to cover for at least 2 hours or overnight. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the soaking liquid. In a food processor or food mill, purée the apricots. Add the reserved soaking liquid.
• Dulce de Moras (Sephardic Berry Candies):
• Purée and strain 2 pounds (about 7 cups) stemmed blackberries, mulberries, or raspberries. Add 1 cup water.
• Amsath (Indian Mango Candies):
• This Indian adaptation of the Middle Eastern confection is called kamrooden in Calcutta. Use 4 cups strained mango pulp (about 4 pounds or 8 medium mangoes).
• Dulce de Shiftili (Sephardic Peach Candies):
• Halve and pit 2 pounds fresh peaches or apricots. Poach in boiling water for 15 minutes. Drain, peel, and purée. If desired, stir 1 teaspoon almond extract into the thickened paste.
• Dulce de Peras (Sephardic Pear Candies):
• Cook 3 pounds peeled, cored, and chopped pears in 1 1/2 cups water over medium heat until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain and let cool. In a food processor or food mill, purée the pulp.
• Dulce do Bimbriyo (Sephardic Quince Candies):
• Among Greek, Syrian, and Iraqi communities, quince preserves (kylthoni glyko) and candied quinces are served on Rosh Hashannah and Passover. Peel and slice 3 pounds (about 8 medium) hard and slightly unripe quinces. Cook in 1 1/2 cups water over medium heat until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain and let cool. Mash the pulp and press through a strainer.
• Dulce de Bimbriyo y Mansana (Sephardic Quince and Apple Candies):
• Cook 2 pounds peeled and chopped quinces and 1 pound peeled, cored, and chopped apples in 1 1/2 cups water over medium heat until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain and let cool. In a food processor or food mill, purée the pulp.

HAROSETH (DRIED FRUIT AND NUT PASTE)

Steps:

• Pulse toasted nuts in a food processor until coarsely chopped.
• Add dried fruit, zest, and spices and pulse again until chopped.
• Add Port and pulse until all ingredients are chopped and combined into a coarse paste.
• Transfer to a bowl and stir in raisins.