Pates De Fruits Food

FRUIT JEWELS (PATE DE FRUIT)

Steps:

• Place the applesauce, apricots, and sugar into a non-reactive 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Mix together, then add the raspberries. The raspberries will dominate the flavor. If you want apricot-flavored Pate de Fruit, omit the raspberries. Using a hand-held immersion blender or whisk, combine all of the ingredients until smooth and homogenous. As the mixture cooks, the natural pectin in the fruit will cause the mixture to thicken. Continue to cook until it is thick, mixing constantly. To test for the correct consistency, dip a whisk in the mixture and hold horizontally in front of you. Watch as the mixture drips off the whisk and back into the pan. If the mixture stays on the whisk and beads up into small balls, like pearls, it is ready. If it drips back into the pan in thin strands, it needs to be cooked a little longer.
• When the mixture is a bit thicker than jam, pour it into a spouted container. Fill either a half-dome or triangle shaped flexipan, depending on the desired design of the jewels and let rest for 4 hours at room temperature. When the mixture has set, remove and roll each jewel in sugar. If you do not have a flexipan, you can pour the Pate de Fruit into a 10-inch bottomless tart mold or cake ring placed on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet. Let the Pate de Fruit cool and set, about 3 hours at room temperature. When the mixture has set, remove and roll each jewel in sugar. To unmold, run a sharp paring knife between the fruit and the mold and lift off the mold. (At this point the Pate de Fruit can be stored, well wrapped in plastic and in an airtight container, for up to 2 months.) Sprinkle the top of the Pate de Fruit with a thin layer of sugar and flip it onto another sheet of parchment paper. Remove the parchment that is now on top. Sprinkle this side with more sugar. Using a wet chef's knife or cutter, cut the Pate de Fruit into any shapes. Roll each piece completely in sugar and serve. Do not store in the refrigerator, as the humidity will make the sugar melt.

PATES DE FRUITS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups of the sugar and the Vitpris. Mix well; set aside. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray, and line with parchment paper. Spray again; set aside.
• In a large stockpot, combine the remaining 2 3/4 cups sugar with the fruit puree. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Whisk in Vitpris mixture. Cook, whisking constantly, for 3 minutes. Pour onto prepared baking sheet. Tap on work surface to evenly distribute. Let stand until cool and completely set, at least one hour, and up to overnight.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Using a 1 1/4-inch round cutter or a knife, cut into rounds or squares. Roll in sanding sugar to coat. Place on prepared baking sheet. Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature, for at least 2 hours before serving. May be stored at room temperature, uncovered, for up to 2 days.

PINEAPPLE-LIME PATE DE FRUIT

Steps:

• Grease an 8-inch square casserole dish with the vegetable oil and set aside. In a small bowl, combine the pectin with 1/4 cup of the sugar and set aside.
• Place the pineapple in a food processor and puree until very smooth. Transfer the pineapple puree to a 3-quart saucepan and add 1 3/4 cups of the sugar, the lime juice, and lime zest. Bring the contents of the pan to a boil over high heat, stirring with a spoon to dissolve the sugar. Once the fruit has come to a boil and the sugar is dissolved, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes.
• Sprinkle the pectin mixture over the pineapple mixture and whisk to blend. Raise the heat to medium-high and return the pan to a boil. Cook the candy, whisking constantly, until the liquid has evaporated, the consistency is very thick and syrupy, and the volume is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour into the prepared casserole dish. Place the casserole dish on a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely. Let stand at least 12 hours, and up to 24 hours, until candy has firmed up.
• Once the candy has firmed up, cut into 1-inch squares. Place the sanding sugar in a medium size bowl, and toss the candy cubes in the sugar to evenly coat. Serve immediately.

APPLE PâTES DE FRUITS

Steps:

• 1. Prepare an 8x8 pan by lining it with aluminum foil or parchment paper and spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
• 2. In a small bowl, combine the powdered pectin and the first quantity of sugar (1) and mix well. Have the second quantity of sugar (2), the corn syrup, and the lemon juice near the stove, as once you start cooking the candy, the recipe moves quickly and you will need to have everything prepared and within easy reach.
• 3. Peel the apples and place them in a large pot of simmering water with the split vanilla pod. Poach the apples for 45 minutes or until very tender. Remove them from the water and allow them to cool briefly. Remove the cores and place the apples in a blender or food processor and process until they are a smooth puree.
• 4. Place the puree in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and bring it to a simmer. Once simmering, add the pectin-sugar mixture while whisking continuously. Once incorporated, add the second amount of sugar (2) in several batches, and continue to whisk constantly until the candy comes to a boil.
• 5. Once it boils, add the corn syrup and continue to cook and whisk. Insert a candy thermometer and continue to boil, whisking constantly, until the mixture reaches 225 degrees F. This process takes awhile--usually about 20-30 minutes, depending on your pan and heat. Alternate whisking with scraping the bottom of the pan with a rubber spatula to prevent scorching. At first the candy will be fairly thin, but as it cooks it will thicken and start to spatter, so watch your hands. When it is ready the candy will be quite thick, and will mass together and pull away from the sides of the pan.
• 6. Once the proper temperature is reached, remove the pan from the heat and immediately whisk in the lemon juice.
• 7. Scrape the candy into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Allow it to set at room temperature for at least 3-4 hours, or overnight.
• 8. Carefully remove the candy from the pan and peel off the foil backing. Cut it into small 1-inch squares and dredge the squares in granulated sugar to serve. Store Apple Pâtes de Fruits in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and roll them in sugar again after refrigeration.