Small Batch Almanac Pear Butter Food

BROWN SUGAR PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Note: Prepare canning jars before starting your preserving project.
• Wash, then quarter and core pears, placing them in a heavy-bottom preserving pan as you work.
• Add 1/4 cup water. Do not add more liquid, the pears will create liquid as they cook!
• Bring to a simmer over low heat, then cover tightly with a lid to keep heat and moisture inches.
• Simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until pears have softened, then remove pan from heat.
• Mash pears with a potato masher until they are mushy (approximately 15-30 seconds.).
• Place food mill over a bowl, then scoop pear mush into the food mill. Crank away until all that remains in the food mill is a small amount of pear skins/peels. Discard or compost the skins.
• Measure the pear puree back into the preserving pan, keeping track of the amount of pear puree you end up with because you'll want to add half that much brown sugar to the pear puree mixture. (For example, for 2 cups of pear puree, you'll add 1 cup of brown sugar.).
• If using a vanilla bean, add it now, then add the remaining spices into the pear puree mixture. Stir well to combine. (Note: If using vanilla extract instead of a vanilla bean, add it at the end of the cooking process, when you would normally be removing the vanilla bean. If you add the vanilla extract before cooking, much of the vanilla flavor will be diminished.
• Cook approximately one hour over low heat, simmering constantly. It will be more of a bubble than a simmer, because of the thickening nature of the pear butter.
• Once desired thickness has been achieved, remove the preserving pan from the heat and, if using the vanilla bean, remove it and split the bean down the middle with a sharp knife. Using the edge of the knife, scrape the tiny seeds back into the pear butter, and stir well. (Note: If using vanilla extract, add at this point.).
• Using a wide-mouth funnel, spoon pear butter immediately into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4" headspace.
• Look for any air bubbles in the jars and if you see any, use a chopstick or plastic knife to pop them before wiping rims clean.
• At this point you can either cover jars with tight-fitting lids (and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months or in the freezer for up to 6 months) or you can process by following these steps:.
• For Canning Process:.
• Place a sealing lid on the jar, screw on a band until finger-tight then wipe jar rims spotlessly clean with a dry paper towel.
• Process for 10 minutes in a Boiling Water Bath. (If needed, add extra hot water to be sure jars are completely submerged before covering Boling Water Bath Canner with the lid.).
• Remove jars with a jar-lifter and place on a towel on the counter in a draft-free place. Let rest for 24 hours, then check for proper seal before storing.
• If jars lids seal, store them in a cool, dark place for up to one year.
• Note: Check lids for a proper seal by pressing the middle of the lid with a finger or thumb. If the lid stays down, it is sealed and will easily keep for up to one year in a cool dark place. If the lid springs up when you release your finger, the lid is unsealed. Place unsealed jars in your refrigerator and eat within 3 months, or within one month after opening.

SMALL-BATCH ALMANAC PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring the apple juice, ginger and allspice to a boil.
• Add the pears and reduce to a simmer.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Remove ginger slices.
• Continue to cook, stirring regularly to prevent sticking, until the mixture is thick, smooth, spreadable and a dark-brown caramel.
• Can in a water bath or spoon into a clean jar and keep in the fridge up to 6 weeks.

CARAMEL SPICE PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Wash the pears but do not peel or core them; slice pears into a heavy saucepan (at least 5-quart size).
• Add water, cover, and cook until tender (about 30 minutes).
• Remove from heat and press the pears through a colander or a food mill.
• Measure the pear pulp (you should have about 8 cups) and return to the pan.
• Using a frying pan, heat 1 1/2 cups of the sugar, stirring until it melts and caramelizes to a medium brown color.
• Pour immediately into the pear pulp (the syrup will sizzle and harden, but dissolve again as the preserves cook).
• Add the remaining sugar, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger.
• Cook uncovered, until thick (about 45 minutes).
• Stir frequently as it begins to thicken to prevent it from sticking.
• Stir in lemon juice just before removing it from heat.
• Pour hot mixture into steralized 1/2 pint jars, put on lid, and crew band tightly.
• Process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

GINGER CARDAMOM PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Place pears in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Combine pear puree, sugar, and remaining ingredients in a medium sauté pan over medium heat; bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Cook 3 hours or until mixture is thick.

APPLE CRISP FOR 2

Steps:

• Place apple in a small greased baking dish.
• In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients; cut in the butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apple slices.
• Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees ro 30-35 minutes or until apple is tender.

SUGAR FREE PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Place pears in pan with no added liquid.
• Cook until soft.
• Mash.
• Put thru a ricer or sieve and discard seeds and skin.
• Add spices and lemon juice and return to stove.
• Cook until no liquid runs off when a small amount is placed on a dish. Remove from heat.
• Add vanilla and splenda.
• Can or place in a container and refrigerate.

PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Wash 8-10 pint jars in hot soapy water or in dish washer.
• Keep hot until needed.
• Prepare lids as manufacturer directs.
• Place in a 6-quart pot.
• Pour orange juice over fruit.
• Stir in orange peel, sugar, spices and seed of vanilla bean.
• Use a hand blender if need be to get a nice smooth puree.
• Stirring constantly over medium heat, bring to a boil.
• Ladle into hot jars 1 at a time, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
• Release trapped air.
• Wipe rim of jars with a clean damp cloth.
• Attach lid.
• Place in canner.
• Process in a boiling-water bath.
• For 15 minutes.

VANILLA PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Drain pears, reserving 1/2 cup syrup; combine pears and syrup in small saucepan along with vanilla extract. Simmer mixture gently for 15 minutes, or until pears are tender. Remove pan from heat. Using a fork or potato masher, mash pears.

WINTER PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Peel, quarter and core the pears; chop in 1/2-inch pieces.
• Put all the ingredients in a large heavy pot; bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and cook, stirring often, for 15 minutes, or until the pears are soft.
• Puree the mixture in a food processor or blender.
• Return the puree to the pot.
• Cook uncovered over very low heat, stirring often, for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, or until the pear butter is very thick.
• Be careful not to let it scorch.
• Remove from the heat.
• Stir the hot pear butter for a minute or two to release more heat.
• Spoon into clean hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at the top of each jar.
• Wipe the rim of each jar.
• Cover and allow to come to room temperature. (You'll notice that the pear butter is a rather gray-green color; this is the correct color.)
• Label the jars and refrigerate for up to three weeks.
• (Remember: The label should include the name of the recipe and the date by which it should be eaten. Be sure the recipient stores the pear butter in the refrigerator.).