James Beards Compote Of Dried Fruits Recipes

DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a medium saucepan, add the dried pitted prunes, dried apricots, and golden raisins. Add enough water to just cover the fruit. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the sugar, lemon peel, whole cloves, and ground allspice. Stir until the sugar dissolves, adding a little water if the mixture seems dry.
• Continue to simmer gently, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes or until the fruit has softened, and the syrup is thick.
• Remove lemon peel and cloves, and discard.
• Chill several hours before serving, garnished with chopped walnuts, if desired.

JAMES BEARD'S BAKING POWDER BISCUITS

Steps:

• Sift flour into mixing bowl with baking powder and salt.
• Using fingers, two knives, or a heavy fork, blend butter and flour into very fine particles. (Don't beat any longer than you absolutely must!).
• Add milk and stir just enough to ake particles cling together -- it will be a very soft dough.
• (You may have to add up to another 1/4 cup of milk, for a total of 1 cup of milk in the biscuit dough.) Turn on to floured surface and knead for about 1 minute.
• Drop dough by large spoonfuls on to a baking sheet spritzed with baking spray.
• Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes.

DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Wash the fruits quickly in cold water.
• Chop the fruits in a food processor and mix them in a mixing bowl.
• Drizzle with lemon juice and honey.
• Cover tightly and put in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. The fruits will soften and the flavors will blend.
• Can serve with cream or whipped cream (or a vegan or raw version.).

JAMES BEARD'S

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Rub lamb with salt and pepper and place on a rack in a roasting pan.
• Surround with the bones, onions,carrots and 4 to 5 garlic cloves.
• Pour the olive oil over the bones and vegetables.
• Roast at 400°F for 30 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 350°F and roast for 30 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 200°F.
• Transfer lamb to baking pan or casserole dish.
• Add remaining garlic, 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper, tomatoes and bones and vegetables from the roasting pan.
• Rinse roasting pan with the red wine and pour wine over lamb.
• Cover tightly with aluminum foil and roast in a 200°F oven for 6 hours.
• Transfer lamb to a platter and remove the strings.
• Discard bones and bay leaf.
• Remove the cloves from the onions and puree or blend all the vegetables.
• Combine with the pan juices.
• Serve meat and sauce with cooked white beans seasoned with salt and pepper garlic and basil.

JAMES BEARD'S CREAM BISCUITS

Steps:

• Sift dry ingredients together.
• Fold in cream until it makes a soft dough that can be easily handled. (You may need to add up to a full cup of cream).
• Turn on to a floured board and knead for about one minute.
• I make these as drop biscuits: Take a large mound of dough (one heaping tablespoonful) and dip into melted butter.
• Arrange biscuits on a baking sheet spritzed with baking spray. Bake at 425 for 15-18 minutes.

JAMES BEARD'S RAW VEGETABLE DIP

Steps:

• Be sure cheeses are at room temperature. Combine the garlic and beer with the cheese, blending until smooth.
• Then add enough sour cream to bring it to dipping consistency.
• Serve on a lazy Susan surrounded by a choice of vegetable sticks.

JAMES BEARD'S COMPOTE OF DRIED FRUITS

Steps:

• Put the fruits in a four-quart saucepan, cover with water and bring to boil. Add lemon slices and sugar, reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until puffed. Add the bourbon, cognac or rum.
• Turn off heat and let the fruit remian in the pan for a few minutes to absorb the flavor of the spirit.
• Transfer to a serving dish and allow to cool slightly. Serve with desired type of cream.