Nieve De Membrillo Recipes

EASY MEMBRILLO (SWEET QUINCE PASTE)

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients in a medium pot over medium heat. Stirring occasionally, once the sugar has melted and the mixture begins to bubble, simmer uncovered for an hour or so, stirring occasionally, until the candy thermometer reads 220 degrees F. This doesn't always guaranteed it's ready, so at this point also do a plate test to make sure the mixture is done: Spoon a little of the liquid onto a cold plate and wait a couple of minutes. Push the liquid with your finger and if it wrinkles it is ready. If it doesn't, continue to simmer and re-test. The quince will increasingly change into a deep ruby red color.
• Grease a 8x8 inch glass baking dish. Puree the mixture with an immersion blender or blend in a Vitamix or similar until smooth. Pour the hot mixture into the greased baking dish and smooth the top. Let it cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24-48 hours until firm. Invert the membrillo / quince paste onto a platter (you may need to gently pry it out with a knife). Note: Some recipes call for placing the membrillo in an oven at low temp (125 degrees F) for 8+ hours to firm it up. This membrillo is already firm and perfectly sliceable. If you prefer it even firmer, proceed with dehydrating it.Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 3 months or longer. For longer storage membrillo can be frozen well-wrapped for up to a year.
• Makes one 8x8 inch square of quince paste.Serve with your cheese & charcuterie board. Traditionally served with manchego but pairs beautifully with most aged, hard cheeses.

QUINCE PASTE (DULCE DE MEMBRILLO)

Steps:

• Place fruit in a pot and cover with water.
• Fruit paste will keep for several weeks, covered, in the refrigerator.

MEMBRILLO

Steps:

• Put the quinces and lemon zest and juice in a large heavy-based pan. Add enough water to cover the fruit. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 1 hr until the quinces are very tender. Strain through a jelly bag or muslin-lined colander. Do not press out the juice - just leave it for at least 4 hrs, or ideally overnight, until the juice has dripped through.
• To make the jelly, put three saucers in the freezer. Measure the juice and return it to the pan (reserve the leftover fruit for the membrillo paste). For each 1 litre juice, add 750g sugar (or for each 100ml juice, add 75g sugar). Bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then boil hard until set. This could take between 5 and 20 mins. To test for set, spoon a little onto a chilled saucer, leave for 1 min, then push your finger through the juice. If it wrinkles, the jelly is set. If not, return to the heat and boil again for a few mins, then test again.
• Remove from the heat and skim off any surface scum with a slotted spoon. Stir in the butter to dissolve any leftover sediment, then stir in the rose water. Pot into sterilised jars, seal and label. Store in a cool, dry place for up to one year.
• To make the membrillo, line a 16 x 24cm shallow oblong tin or tray with baking parchment. Tip the reserved fruit into a food processor and whizz to make a smooth-ish paste. Weigh the paste and for each 1kg paste, add 750g sugar (or for each 100g paste, add 75g sugar).
• Tip the paste and sugar into a large heavy-based pan and heat gently, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Increase the heat and cook, stirring regularly, for 30-45 mins until the paste is thick and golden, and leaves a gap when you run a wooden spoon across the base of the pan. Be careful as the mixture will spit at you and can burn. Spoon into the tin or tray and smooth the top. Leave to cool, then chill overnight until it is very firm.
• Wrap the paste in fresh baking parchment, then over-wrap in foil and store in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.

NIEVE DE TAMARINDO

Steps:

• Remove the outer hard shell from the tamarinds and discard the "strings" that are attached to the flesh. Place the tamarind flesh or pulp in a pot, cover with the water, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Adjust the heat to maintain a constant simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Let sit until cool enough to handle.
• Strain through a fine-mesh sieve (don't wash the sieve just yet because you'll be using it for the pulp) and measure the liquid. Add enough water to make 4 cups. Return the liquid to the pot, add the sugar, and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves (don't let the mixture come to a boil). Remove from the heat.
• Press the pulp through the sieve with your hand, a spoon, or a spatula to extract as much as possible. Discard the seeds and add the pulp to the pot. Stir to combine. Chill over an ice bath until cool. Refrigerate, covered, until completely cool, about 2 hours, and freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

NIEVE DE MEMBRILLO

Steps:

• Peel, quarter, and core the quinces. Put into a pot with the cider, sugar, and salt and cook over medium heat, uncovered, until very tender, about 30 minutes, making sure the mixture never boils but is always at a simmer.
• Let cool for about 30 minutes, then purée in a blender until smooth. Strain and cool over an ice bath. Refrigerate, covered, until completely chilled, 2 to 3 hours. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.