Pear Cranberry Pate De Fruits Food

CRANBERRY-PEAR FRUIT JELLIES

Steps:

• Rinse pan with water and shake dry. Line bottom and sides of pan with plastic wrap, pressing into bottom and corners of pan to smooth. (Water helps the plastic wrap adhere.)
• Quarter and core pears, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces. (Do not peel.)
• Bring pears, cranberries, water, 2 3/4 cups sugar, butter, and cinnamon stick to a boil in a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and pears are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Remove and discard cinnamon stick, then carefully transfer hot mixture to a food processor and purée until smooth, about 1 minute. (Mixture will be thick). Force through a medium-mesh sieve back into same pot, pressing on solids with back of a spoon and discarding solids.
• Put a plate in freezer to chill.
• Bring cranberry mixture to a boil over high heat and add pectin. Reduce heat to moderate and cook, stirring frequently, until very thick and pastelike, about 45 minutes. To test, remove from heat, then drop a teaspoonful on chilled plate and chill in freezer 1 minute. Tilt plate: Mixture should remain in a firm mound and not run. If mixture runs, continue cooking and stirring and repeat test every 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and immediately pour mixture into prepared pan. Gently tap sides of pan to smooth top and eliminate any air bubbles.
• Cool to room temperature, at least 1 hour, then cover surface directly with plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 1 week.
• Unmold fruit mixture onto a cutting board and remove plastic wrap. Cut into 1-inch squares using a sharp knife. (For easier cutting, rinse knife with hot water, then dry it between cuts.)
• Just before serving, spread remaining cup sugar in a shallow bowl and coat squares on all sides.

PEAR-CRANBERRY PATE DE FRUITS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine pectin with 1/2 cup sugar; set aside. Have ready an 11-by-17-inch baking pan and a 1-cup mold.
• Wash, peel, quarter, and core pears. Place pears and cranberries in the bowl of a food processor. Puree until fine.
• Transfer puree to a six-quart saucepan, and add remaining 3 1/2 cups sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to medium low, and simmer 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle pectin mixture over pear mixture, whisking constantly. Increase heat to medium high, and return mixture to a boil. Cook, whisking, 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and, working quickly, immediately pour mixture into baking pan and mold. Tap pan on countertop to smooth surface, and transfer pan to a wire rack until completely cool.
• With the baking pan, use cookie cutters or a paring knife to cut fruit paste into decorative shapes. To unmold fruit paste from the mold: Carefully dip mold into a pan of simmering water; hold about 10 seconds. Tap all four sides on tabletop to break air seal. Invert mold over a serving plate, and let sit until paste releases. If necessary, tap again. Cover with plastic, and store in a dry, cool place.
• Before serving, pour sugar into a bowl, and roll shapes in sugar, covering completely.

CRANBERRY-PEAR CRISP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the fresh and dried cranberries in a large bowl. Add 1 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons water and the vanilla and toss to coat. Lightly smash with a potato masher or fork to burst some of the cranberries. Add the pears, cinnamon, allspice and 2 tablespoons flour and toss to coat. Transfer to a 3-quart baking dish.
• Make the topping: Mix the remaining 1 cup flour, the pecans, oats, the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and the salt in a medium bowl, then stir in the melted butter. Use your fingers to pinch the topping into small clumps and sprinkle it over the fruit.
• Bake until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.