Pear And Chocolate Jam Food

PEARS WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel the pears, leaving the stalks intact, then take the core out from the bottom of each by using a small sharp knife or a melon baller. Flatten the bottom by slicing off a little bit so that it will sit upright when served. Put the pears into a saucepan with the zests, vanilla pod, sugar, cinnamon, white wine and 600ml water, then bring to the boil. Lower the heat and poach for about 20-25 mins until they are cooked all the way through, but are not so soft that they will fall apart. Leave to cool in the liquid. Can be made and chilled a day ahead.
• When cool, take the pears out, strain out the cinnamon, zest and vanilla pod (keep the pod, allow it to dry, then pop it into a jar of sugar to make vanilla sugar), then pour the syrup back in the pan. Boil until reduced by half to a thin syrup.
• Meanwhile, to make the sauce, melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Warm the cream, milk and butter in a heavy based pan. Stir this into the melted chocolate, set aside and keep warm. Can be made and chilled a day ahead. If the sauce cools and thickens too much, warm it again gently over a pan of simmering water or for 30 secs in a microwave. Serve the pears with plenty of syrup, chocolate sauce and good-quality vanilla ice cream.

PEAR JAM

Steps:

• Mix pears, fruit pectin, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and lemon juice in a large heavy pot; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add sugar all at once, stirring, and bring back to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute. Mix in butter to settle foam.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the pear jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

SURE.JELL PEAR JAM

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.
• Peel and core pears. Finely grind or chop fruit. Measure exactly 4 cups prepared fruit into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot. Stir in lemon juice.
• Stir in pectin. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Add sugar; stir. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 min. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH PRICKLY PEAR JAM

Steps:

• To Make Jam:
• Wearing rubber gloves, cut a 1/2-inch slice off both ends of each pear and carefully peel off rind and discard. Chop prickly pear and place in food processor and blend until smooth. Strain, extracting as much puree and liquid by pushing down pulp with a rubber spatula.
• Place 1 cup prickly pear puree plus sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat, for 10 minutes, stirring frequently until purée is reduced 1/2 cup. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl and cool completely. Once cool stir in lime and orange juice.
• To Make Cake:
• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 2 (9-inch) round pans. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 min. Loosen cakes from sides of pans. Invert onto racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.
• Beat pudding mix and milk in large bowl with whisk 2 min. (Pudding will be thick.) Gently stir in whipped topping.
• Place 1 cake layer on plate; spread with jam. Top with layers of half each of the pudding mixture and prickly pears; cover with remaining cake layer. Top with remaining pudding mixture.
• Refrigerate 1 hour. Top with chocolate shavings and prickly pear slices just before serving.

CHOCOLATE PEAR CAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 F (180 C). Grease and flour a 9 inch cake pan.
• In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• In a small bowl mix together the yogurt and milk until combined, set aside.
• Peel, core and slice the pears.
• In a large bowl beat on medium speed the eggs, vanilla and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes. Then slowly add the vegetable oil and beat to combine.
• Alternately add the dry ingredients with the yogurt mixture. Beat to combine, approximately one minute.
• Pour into the prepared pan, top with pear slices (sliced side down). Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool then dust with powdered / icing sugar before serving. Enjoy!

PEAR AND CHOCOLATE JAM

Steps:

• Put a small plate in the freezer for later use.
• Peel and core pears. Dice them or use a food processor.
• Mix the pears and lemon juice in a large sauce pan.
• Add sugar and bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• Chop chocolate and put aside.
• Once you hit 20 minutes, take the plate out of the freezer and put a small amount of jam on it to test for gelling. Wait for a few seconds and then see if jam runs. If it does and you want a thick jam, cook for a few more minutes and repeat process.
• Stir chocolate into jam, stir and wait for a simmer. Turn off heat.
• Package jam in freezer dishes or can for 12 minutes.

PEAR GINGER JAM

Steps:

• In a large pot, combine the pears, fresh ginger, sugar and juice from one lemon.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat them reduce the heat to medium. As you cook the jam for 10-15 minutes, it will thicken.
• Use a potato masher to help break down the fruit if necessary. If you want to make more of a sauce similar to an applesauce, you could puree the jam before canning it.
• When the jam is the consistency you prefer, ladle it into jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
• Process the jars for 10 minutes in a water bath canner (adjust for your altitude as needed). Or you could store the jam in the refrigerator for about a month.