Sugar Cage Food

PLUM COMPOTE AND CHOCOLATE SAUCE WITH SUGAR CAGE

Steps:

• Bring all 4 ingredients to a boil, reserving 1/4 cup of lemon juice before adding pears that have been brushed with remaining lemon juice. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes until soft but not mushy;
• Dice and pit plums, macerate all ingredients together for 20 minutes. Put all ingredients in pot and bring to a boil and stew until plums are soft. Cool on sheet pan until serving;
• In small saucepan over medium heat bring sugar and water to a boil. Let reduce until mixture becomes the consistency of honey and a golden brown. At this point spray outer side of small bowl with cooking spray. Drizzle sugar mixture over bowl with fork until it begins to look like a bird nest. Let cool for 15 to 20 minutes and remove from bowl. And place over pear drenched in compote.;

SUGAR CAGES (A LA " BRIDGET JONES")

Steps:

• Put sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Insert a thermometer and cook the sugar mixture until it reaches 311°F.
• Remove from the heat and pour into a medium microwaveable bowl.
• Lightly coat bowl that matches whatever you're placing the sugar cage over with cooking spray.
• Dip the prongs of a fork into hot sugar.
• This is the hard part: carefully but quickly wave the fork over the inside of the bowl, allowing the sugar to drip off fork in long, thin strands.
• Try to do the strands evenly on the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Making sure to come all the way to the rim, but not so thick that you can't see the bowl through the sugar.
• Using a sharp knife, slice the edge of the cage clean by scraping the blade of the knife along the rim of the bowl.
• Let cool for 5 minutes.
• To get the cage out: place your thumbs on the outside of the bowl and your fingers on the inside of the sugar cage.
• Gently pull the cage loose from the side and bottom of the bowl.
• Apply this same pressure all around the inside of the bowl.
• After the cage out of the bowl place it over the dessert.
• WARNING: If the sugar is still too warm, the cage will begin to collapse.
• You should let the cage cool completely first before removing it.
• This will make sure it keeps its shape.

ORANGE PARFAIT (A LA BRIDGET JONES) - NOT MARMALADE!

Steps:

• In a medium sauce pan, combine the pudding mix and orange juice.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a full boil.
• Remove from heat and place in the refrigerator until completely chilled.
• In a large bowl, combine the chilled pudding, orange zest, and low-fat yogurt.
• Place a spoonful of the mixture into a parfait glass OR Sugar Cage (see recipe #83770).
• Sprinkle 2 Tablespoons of crushed cookies on top and continue layering the pudding and cookies until the sugar cage is full.
• Garnish with fresh berries and serve.