Winter Pear Butter Food

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH BOURBON PEAR BUTTER GLAZE

Steps:

• For the pear butter glaze: Combine the pear sauce, sugar, bourbon, cardamom and lemon juice in a saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, until it reduces by half, 25 to 30 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the glaze to slather on the chickens as they cook, and the rest for serving.
• For the roasted chicken: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Pat the chickens dry and sprinkle liberally all over with salt and pepper. Divide the rosemary, lemon rinds and fennel between the cavities of both chickens. Tie the legs with butcher's twine and tuck the wings under the chickens.
• Place the chickens in a roasting pan and roast for 45 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and slather the chickens generously with the reserved pear butter glaze. Roast until the juices run clear when pricked, 15 to 20 more minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes to allow for carryover cooking.
• For the fennel salad: Meanwhile, toss the shaved fennel with the lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper to taste and place on a platter.
• Slather the chickens generously with more of the pear butter glaze and put the chickens on top of the shaved fennel salad. Garnish with fennel fronds. Serve with the remaining glaze.

PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Place pears into a large pot over medium heat, and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pot and keep them from sticking, about 1/2 cup. Cook until the pears are soft, about 30 minutes. Press pears through a sieve or food mill, and measure out 2 quarts of the pulp.
• Pour the pear pulp and sugar into a large saucepan and stir to dissolve sugar. Stir in the orange zest, nutmeg and orange juice. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is thick enough to mound in a spoon. When the mixture begins to thicken, stir frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom. This will take about 1 hour.
• Ladle the pear butter into hot sterile jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Remove air bubbles by sliding a metal spatula around where the pear butter touches the glass. Wipe jar rims clean, and seal with lids and rings. Process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath. The water should cover the jars by 1 inch. Check with your local extension for exact processing times for your area.

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.).

BAKED WINTER PEAR & APPLE CRISP

Steps:

• Toss fruit with lemon juice.
• Spread in lightly buttered 9-inch baking pan or deep pie plate.
• In a mixing bowl, combine lemon rind, flour, oats, nuts, sugar and spices.
• Blend in butter with a fork and spread over fruit.
• Bake in preheated 350 degrees oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until tender and golden.
• Serve with milk, cream or ice cream.