Stuffed Prunes Food

STUFFED PRUNES

Steps:

• For the Stuffed Prunes.
• 1. Pre-heat the oven to 400 Degrees F.
• 2. With scissors, cut small piece off of each pitted prune to allow for
• stuffing. Arrange the prunes in a baking dish and prepare the sauce.
• 3. In food processor, mix the cheeses and nuts together to the
• consistency of a smooth paste.
• 4, Stuff the mixture into the pitted prunes.
• For the Red Wine Sauce.
• 1. Thoroughly mix the minced garlic, maple syrup or honey, soy sauce and vinegar. Add enough Merlot to sauce mixture so when poured over prunes, red wine sauce goes 1/4 way up the prunes in baking pan.
• 2. Bake in pre-heated oven for approximately 15-20 minutes.
• Baste the prunes occasionally to keep them from drying out. Serve as a side dish with fish, beef, pork or chicken!

PORK LOIN STUFFED WITH PRUNES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Soak prunes in wine, if you wish, for as long as possible. Drain prunes, reserving wine. With a long sharp knife, make a slit in the center of the loin and stuff it with prunes (reserve prunes that won't fit into pork).
• In a large casserole heat butter. When foaming subsides add the onion or leek, celery and carrot. Cover and cook for 5 to 8 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Remove them with a slotted spoon and reserve for later. Add vegetable oil to the casserole and heat. When hot, add the loin and brown on all sides, including the ends. When pork is browned, remove it to a plate. Discard all fat from the casserole, but leave behind any drippings. Return cooked vegetables to the bottom of the casserole. Add the meat on top and add any prunes which didn't fit into the loin.
• Cover loin with reserved white wine you soaked the prunes in, broth, bay leaf and garlic. Put a lid on casserole and set in oven. Cook for 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours or until pork juices run a clear yellow (difference in time depends on how thick the loin is; internal temp is 165 degrees). Remove casserole from oven and remove the pork and let rest while you make the sauce. Strain the juices into a "degreasing" cup or heat-resistant cup. Discard aromatic vegetables and prunes. The fat will rise above the juices; discard it. Return juices to casserole and boil down until thickened. Finish with a tablespoon of butter or not as you wish. Slice pork into thin slices, serve with saffron rice, sugar snap peas and spoon sauce over the top.

WALNUT-STUFFED CHOCOLATE-COVERED PRUNES.

Steps:

• Slit prunes with a small sharp knife and remove the stones.
• Place pitted prunes in a small bowl and cover them with the cognac and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes.
• Open up each prune and insert a walnut half and then press it closed again. The cut sides should stick together and the walnut be completely enclosed.
• Repeat with all prunes.
• Melt chocolate in double boiler and dip each stuffed prune into the melted chocolate with a pair of tongs.
• Place onto a foil-lined tray and sprinkle with remaining walnuts that have been finely chopped.
• Allow to set at room temperature (avoid refrigeration as it takes away the glossy finish and makes them look dull).
• Each piece can be put into a pleated paper cup for an attractive presentation.
• Dried apricots can be substituted for prunes but they are a little drier and harder to stuff.

PRUNE AND SAUSAGE STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Bake bread on a baking sheet in a single layer until dried but not browned, about 15 minutes. Remove bread, and let cool. Raise oven temperature to 350 degrees.
• Bring stock to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add prunes, and let soak for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook greens until tender, about 10 minutes, and transfer to a plate. Let cool. Wipe out skillet.
• Heat remaining tablespoon oil in skillet over medium heat. Brown sausage, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through and no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl using a slotted spoon. Add more oil to skillet if needed, and cook celery, carrots, and onions until tender, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Drain prunes, reserving poaching liquid. Add prunes, bread, greens, and vegetable mixture to bowl with sausage. Gradually add reserved poaching liquid (about 2 1/2 cups), stirring to combine. Stir in parsley and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide stuffing between two 9-by-13-inch baking dishes. Dot tops with butter. Bake until browned, about 45 minutes.

ARACIA MAHSHIA-BIL-GOZ (WALNUT-STUFFED PRUNES)

Steps:

• Brew 3 cups very strong black tea, such as Irish Breakfast.
• Transfer to a large bowl while still hot. Add 1 lb. pitted prunes (California prunes are plumper and therefore best) and soak overnight.
• Remove prunes with a slotted spoon to a clean work surface and set aside.
• Transfer tea to a medium saucepan and add 1/2 cup sugar.
• Bring to a boil over high heat and reduce tea until it is the consistency of a thin syrup, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stuff each prune (into the slit made when pitting prune) with a large walnut piece.
• Place stuffed prunes in a large shallow bowl or platter, in concentric circles.
• Pour tea syrup over prunes and cool to room temperature.
• Serve with crème fraîche on the side.
• Store covered in refrigerator for up to 1 week.