Lighter Plum Sauce Recipes

CHINESE PLUM SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the plums, sugar, apple cider vinegar, unseasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, ginger coins, chile and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, cover and simmer until the plums are soft, about 20 minutes.
• Allow the mixture to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a blender, filling halfway. Put the lid on, leaving one corner open. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters, and pulse until smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender until smooth.
• Transfer the blended plum mixture back to the same pot and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thick and you can see the bottom of the pot when you run a rubber spatula across the bottom, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer to a medium bowl or plate to cool to room temperature, about 2 hours.
• The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

PAN SEARED SCALLOPS WITH A LIGHT PLUM TOMATO SAUCE AND A BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• In a saucepan add a touch of olive oil, plum tomatoes, 3 shallots and 4 cloves of garlic and cook until shallots are translucent. Add white wine and juice of 2 lemons. Bring to boil, reduce heat, let cook three minutes. Remove from heat and add all ingredients to blender and puree. This process may require being done in steps so that blender does not overflow. Strain pureed ingredients through chinoise, throw out pulp, reserve broth. Bring broth back up to at least 110 degrees. Place in a clean blender, add cubed butter with blender on high to emulsify, thicken sauce, season to taste.
• In a large pot bring to boil salted water and then cook pasta to al dente, refresh in ice bath and set aside. Toss in 1 tablespoon olive oil until ready to serve.
• In a blender, add 2 cloves of garlic, 1 shallot, basil, parsley and watercress, juice of the 1 remaining lemon, cover blender, turn on high. Slowly add 1 cup olive oil until emulsified. Season with salt -- add fresh cracked black pepper (a lot), briefly turn blender on. Transfer contents into a squirt bottle and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Place 1 saute pan over high heat until it smokes.
• In another saute pan place 1 teaspoon of olive oil, add 3 ounces of pasta, then 4 ounces of tomato sauce, check for seasoning of salt and pepper to taste.
• In smoking pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season scallops with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, then add to hot oil. Sear deeply until warm brown color turn each scallop over and finish in a 375 degree oven (for 3 minutes). In desired plate or bowl place pasta with sauce, when scallops are done arrange them on top of pasta. Liberally swizzle pesto over plate and garnish with purple basil sprig.

PLUM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine jam, vinegar, brown sugar, dried onion, red pepper, garlic and ginger. Bring to a boil, stirring. Remove from heat.

PLUM TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a medium pot over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Saute until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes.
• Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to low and let simmer. Add sugar, oregano, 1 teaspoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt; mix well. Let simmer, uncovered, until desired consistency is reached, 35 to 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
• Place a food mill on top of a large bowl. Transfer mixture to the food mill and process, working in batches if needed.

LIGHTER PLUM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the plums, brown sugar, vinegar, ginger, and garlic.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
• Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• When cool, remove and discard the ginger.