Sour Plum Molasses Food

SOUR PLUM MOLASSES

Steps:

• Wash and dry the plums, then add the whole plums to a medium nonstick pot. Add 1 cup water, then cover with a lid. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat so the pot is barely at a simmer. Cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. You should end up with a pot full of juice and soft fruit.
• Strain the plums and juice through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl. Use a rubber spatula to press as much fruit through the strainer as possible, then discard remaining skins and pits. (You should have about 3 1/4 cups pulpy plum mixture.) Rinse out and dry the pot.
• Put the pulpy plum mixture back into the clean pot and bring to a simmer over high heat while stirring and scraping the sides of the pot. Lower heat so the pot is barely bubbling. Continue to cook, uncovered, for about 1 3/4 hours, stirring occasionally, scraping down the sides of the pot and adjusting the heat as necessary to keep it barely bubbling. As the molasses thickens in the last 20 minutes, stir and scrape down the pot more frequently to prevent the mixture from sticking and burning. Depending on the size of your pot, you may not need the full amount of time; watch closely toward the end.
• Stir in the salt, then cook for another 10 minutes, stirring frequently. The finished molasses will be sour, with a deep, caramelized plum flavor, and spreadable, holding its shape on a spoon. Remove from heat and ladle into a warm, dry lidded jar that has been sanitized in boiling water. Seal it while still warm, then let the jar come to room temperature before refrigerating. Store in the fridge for up to 1 year.

SWEET AND SOUR PLUM MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together all of the meatball ingredients.
• Shape into 1-inch balls and set aside.
• In a small bowl, stir together all of the sauce ingredients and set aside.
• Heat a wok or large sauce pan on medium-high with just a little oil in it.
• Saute/stir fry the meatballs until all browned.
• Pour the sauce over them and cook on low heat for 3 minutes.
• Serve over rice for pour into a bowl, cover and refrigerate until needed.

SOUR CREAM PLUM PIE

Steps:

• Line a 9-in. pie plate with pastry; flute edges. Line pastry shell with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 450° for 5 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 350°., Halve and pit the plums; pat dry with paper towels. Arrange cut side up in crust. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks, sour cream, sugar and vanilla; pour over plums. Cover edges of pastry loosely with foil. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack.

PLUM SIMPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Bring sugar, 1 cup water, and plums to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat; let stand 20 minutes. Strain and let cool completely. Syrup can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 5 days.

SOUR PLUM SAUCE (TKEMALI)

Steps:

• In a large non-metallic saucepan, combine the prunes and enough water to barely cover.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until the prunes are soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Drain the prunes, then pit and put them through a food mill.
• Return the prunes to the saucepan.
• Add the cilantro, garlic, coriander seeds fenugreek, red pepper flakes to taste, ¼ cup lemon juice, and salt.
• Bring to a boil and heat for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from the heat.
• Taste and add more lemon juice, if needed.
• Cool the sauce to room temperature and transfer to a sterilized 1 quart jar.
• Top with the oil, seal, and refrigerate.
• The sauce should stand for at least 4 to 6 hours before serving.
• This sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.