Plums With Vanilla Food

VANILLA PLUM JAM

Steps:

• In a large covered saucepan, bring plums, agave and vanilla bean to a boil.
• Lower heat, uncover pot and simmer 15 minutes, until plums are dissolved (though skins will remain).
• Cook 10 more minutes to reduce mixture, then stir in stevia.
• Remove vanilla bean, place plum mixture in blender and puree on highest setting.
• Transfer mixture back to pot and reheat on stove.
• In a small bowl, combine arrowroot powder and 1 tablespoon water to make a slurry.
• Bring plum mixture to a boil, then add arrowroot slurry, stirring continuously, until incorporated.
• Remove from heat, cool and transfer to mason jars.
• Store in refrigerator for up to one week.

PLUMS POACHED IN VANILLA, CINNAMON, ANISE

Steps:

• Cut plums in half and remove the stones. In a sauce pot bring the remaining ingredients to a boil. Add plums and cook quickly until tender. Pour out onto a sheet pan to stop cooking and allow to cool. Serve fruit with a bit of the poaching liquid.

BALSAMIC GLAZED GRILLED PLUMS WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan to high heat. Drizzle fruit with oil to keep it from sticking and grill plums 3 minutes on each side.
• While fruit is grilling, pour balsamic vinegar into a small pot and place pot over medium high heat. When vinegar heats to a boil, reduce vinegar by half, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Combine sugar, vanilla and lemon juice and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in warm balsamic vinegar.
• Place hot, grilled fruit on dessert plates. Top with a scoop of ice cream, if desired. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve.

BALSAMIC GLAZED GRILLED PLUMS WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan to high heat. Drizzle fruit with oil to keep it from sticking and grill plums 3 minutes on each side.
• While fruit is grilling, pour balsamic vinegar into a small pot and place pot over medium high heat. When vinegar heats to a boil, reduce vinegar by half, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Combine sugar, vanilla and lemon juice and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in warm balsamic vinegar.
• Place hot, grilled fruit on dessert plates. Drizzle the balsamic glaze over fruit and serve.

BRANDIED PLUMS WITH CINNAMON AND VANILLA

Steps:

• Wash plums and prick them all over with a needle. Place them in a 1-quart jar with a tight lid and stir in the sugar. Pour in brandy, covering plums by at least an inch. Add cinnamon and vanilla, cover and shake a few times.
• Let jar sit in a dark, cool place (but not the refrigerator) for at least 6 weeks and preferably 3 months. If the fruit floats to the top, turn the jar over.

PLUM-VANILLA PRESERVES

Steps:

• Start with our step-by-step canning how-to.
• Put the plums, sugar, vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks in a large, wide saucepan. Squeeze the lemon juice through a strainer into the pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy or deep-fry thermometer registers 220 degrees F, about 30 minutes. (To be sure that the mixture has reached the gel point, spoon some onto a chilled plate and put in the freezer until cool. The liquid should set; if not, continue to cook and retest after a few more minutes.) Remove the pan from the heat and let cool 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sterilize four 8-ounce canning jars and lids.
• Return the plum mixture to medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring, then add the plumcots. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the plumcots are tender, about 5 minutes. Discard the cinnamon sticks.
• Fill the jars with the plum mixture, leaving 1/2 inch headspace, then seal and process.

PLUMS WITH VANILLA

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine plums, sugar, lemon zest, vanilla seeds and 2 tablespoons water. Place over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until plums give up their juice and soften, 5 to 10 minutes. Taste, and adjust seasoning, adding more sugar, lemon zest or vanilla if desired.
• Let cool 20 minutes. Serve with ice cream, crème fraîche or yogurt sorbet.

CANTALOUPE, PLUMS, AND CHERRIES WITH MINT AND VANILLA

Steps:

• Combine sugar and mint in a large bowl. Using a rubber spatula, press mixture into side of bowl until sugar becomes damp, about 30 seconds; add vanilla. Gently toss fruit with sugar mixture until combined.
• Let stand at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until fruit releases it's juices, 15 to 30 minutes. Stir in lime juice to taste and serve.

VANILLA CARDAMOM PLUM JELLY

Steps:

• Prepare jars and lids by sterilizing in hot water.
• Line a colander with cheesecloth and place it inside a bowl.
• Bring plums, water, brandy, lemon juice, and cardamom to a boil in large pot over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until fruit is soft, about 15 minutes.
• Pour plum mixture into colander. Without pressing on fruit, let mixture drain until all juice has strained into the bowl, about 45 minutes. Add water to make 2 3/4 C juice.
• Return juice to pot with pectin, vanilla and bring to a full boil over high heat until mixture doesn't stop bubbling when stirred.
• Stir in sugar and return mixture to a full boil. Boil and stir for 1 minute. Remove pot from heat. Skim off and discard any foam from top.
• Ladle jelly into hot jars, filling them to within 1/4 inch of their rims. Cover each jar with a two-piece lid. Return jars to canner.
• Process filled jars for 5 minutes, beginning timing when water comes to a boil. After 5 minutes, turn off heat and remove canner lid. Allow jars to rest in hot water 5 minutes.

VANILLA POACHED PLUMS

Steps:

• cut vanilla bean in half lengthwise.
• Scrape seeds into a small bowl, discard bean (or place in a container of sugar for a very pleasant vanilla scented sugar) Add sugar, and stir well.
• Place plums in a 1 quart baking dish, add sugar mixture and lemon juice, tossing gently to coat.
• Dot with margarine, cover and bake at 400f degrees for 20 minutes or until plums are tender, stirring once.