Perfect Poached Fruit Recipes

HOW TO POACH FRUIT

Steps:

• Choose fruits that work well with poaching, for the best results. Suggested fruits include: Stone fruits - peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums etc. Pears Apples Rhubarb Persimmons Figs Oranges Cherries.

POACHED FRUIT

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine wine, sugar, cinnamon sticks, lemon peel, and 5 cups water. Place over medium heat, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Gently place nectarines in the liquid. Add more water if needed to cover nectarines. Place a square of cheesecloth over the fruit, and top with a small plate to keep fruit submerged.
• Increase heat to high, and bring liquid to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and cook until nectarines are tender but not soft, about 5 minutes. Remove nectarines from liquid, and allow to cool
• Return liquid to a boil, and cook until reduced to a syrup that will coat the back of spoon, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and cool.
• Cut nectarines in half, and remove pit. Place two halves on serving plate. Drizzle with syrup. Top each half with a dollop of creme fraiche and a sprig of mint.

POACHED FRUIT

Steps:

• Peel and dice fruit. Place Riesling in saucepan, add sugar, basil and fruit. Simmer slowly until fruit is tender. Cool and serve over ice cream.

PERFECT POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to a gentle simmer. Crack an egg into a fine-mesh sieve set over a medium bowl. Let watery whites run through into bowl below; carefully transfer egg to a small bowl (this helps eliminate the long, tentacle-like strands of egg white that may otherwise form, and encourages a smooth, round poached egg).
• Stir simmering water with a slotted spoon to make a gentle vortex. Tip egg out of bowl into center of vortex and swirl water gently to help bring whites up around yolk. Repeat with 3 more eggs so there are 4 eggs total in saucepan. Cook until whites are just set but yolk is still very soft (lift out of water with a slotted spoon and gently press on yolk to assess), about 2 1/2 minutes from the time each egg hits the water. Transfer to a warm plate with slotted spoon. Season eggs with salt and pepper just before serving.
• Do Ahead
• Eggs can be poached 1 day ahead. Transfer to a bowl of ice water instead of warm plate. Cover and chill. Reheat in barely simmering water 1 minute before serving.

POACHED PLUMS

Steps:

• To prepare the plums: wash and cut them into quarters, then remove the stones.
• Tip the sugar into a pan with 225ml water, the cinnamon and vanilla. Gently heat until the sugar dissolves.
• Slide the fruit into the syrup. Bring the pan to the boil, then let it simmer for 5-10 mins - depending on the ripeness - until the plums are soft. Leave to cool slightly and serve as they are with something creamy.

POACHED VEGETABLES FOLLOWED BY POACHED FISH

Steps:

• Put a tablespoon or so of salt in a medium (say 6-quart) saucepan and add enough water to cover whatever you might cook. Bring to a boil.
• Add the carrots, reduce the heat so the water bubbles gently (cover partly) and cook until just tender, about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness. Remove, plunge into ice water (or at least cold running water). When cool, drain and put in a plastic container or sealable bag.
• Potatoes: Same treatment. About 15 minutes, again depending on size. Fennel, green beans: Ditto. Five minutes or less for each.
• Shrimp or fish: No different really, except if you're cooking white fish, undercook it a bit so it doesn't fall apart. Shrimp just has to turn pink, really. Cooking time for shrimp, scallops, squid: 2 minutes or so. For fillets (nothing too thin, or they will fall apart): 5 minutes or so.

FOOLPROOF POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Fill a large saucepan with 2 to 3 inches of water and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, pour in vinegar, and keep the water at a gentle simmer.
• Crack an egg into a small cup. Place cup near the surface of the hot water and gently drop egg into the water. Repeat with remaining eggs. Turn off heat, cover, and let sit until whites are set, 4 minutes. Lift eggs out of pan with a slotted spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and dill.

PERFECT POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Pour 2 tablespoons of vinegar into the poaching water.
• Crack open eggs one at a time, into a small bowl.
• Bring the water to a boil, then reduce temperature.
• When water reaches a gentle simmer, pour egg into a ladle.
• Gently transfer eggs into simmering water.
• The egg whites will coagulate instantly & the vinegar will change the pH level of the poaching water.
• Poach the eggs for 3 minutes spooning the simmering water over the eggs.
• When the whites become opaque and feel firm to the touch they are done.
• Gently remove eggs with a slotted spoon and lay them on sheets of paper towel to dry.
• Serve immediately.

FRUIT, POACHED AND MARINATED

Steps:

• Pour chardonnay into a medium saucepan. Using the tip of a paring knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean halves into wine and add pods. Add honey, cinnamon stick, raisins or currants, and dried apples and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, fill a bowl with water and add lemon juice. Peel bananas; cut them in half lengthwise and then in 2-inch pieces, and immediately place in the acidulated water. (This prevents bananas from discoloring.)
• Drain bananas and add to simmering wine. Add nutmeg. Returnmixture to a simmer, cover and simmer 5 more minutes. Remove from heat. Add almonds. Remove cinnamon stick and if you wish, add a little more nutmeg. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream or plain yogurt if desired.

PERFECT POACHED EGG

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with at least 3 inches of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce temperature to low--the water is ready when you see bubbles at the bottom of the pot, but there should be no bubbles breaking the surface of the water.
• Crack egg into a small-mesh sieve, allow it to drain, and then transfer the egg to a small bowl or ramekin in order to avoid a runny egg white. This step will give you a better-shaped poached egg with tighter whites.
• When water is at the right temperature, stir in about 1 tablespoon white vinegar which helps the egg white coagulate. Using a spoon, swirl the water in the center of the pot into a vortex or whirlpool, and carefully add egg to the center. Cook until egg white is set, but the yolk is still soft and runny, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Do not overcook.
• Transfer the egg to a paper towel to remove excess water using a slotted spoon. Serve immediately.