Pickled Pears Cheese Platter Recipes

PICKLED PEARS & CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Put the vinegar, sugar and spices into a large saucepan with 500ml of water. Heat gently to melt the sugar. Meanwhile, peel the pears, halve, then scoop out the core with a teaspoon or melon-baller. Add the pears to the pan, they should be just about covered with the liquid, then bring to a simmer for 25-30 mins. Test the pears with a tip of a knife - they should be just tender. Lift out with a slotted spoon and put into a large Kilner jar or a few smaller ones. Boil the liquid down to about 600ml, then pour over the pears to cover. Seal and store in the fridge for up to a week, before serving.
• On Christmas Day, remove the pears from the fridge so they come up to room temperature. To serve, thickly slice and toast the bread and slice the cheese into thin wedges. Lift the pears from the jar and layer up with the cheese on a large platter or board, then scatter with some leaves. Serve with the bread.

PICKLED PEARS

Steps:

• Soak pears in water& fruit fresh/lemon juice to keep from browning.
• Tie pickling spice, ginger and cloves in a spice bag.
• Prepare liquid-combine spice bag, sugar, water, vinegar and lemon slices in a large stainless or enamel pot.
• Bring to a boil, cover and boil for 5 min.
• Add enough pears to create a single layer in liquid and poach for 7 min-drain with slotted spoon and place in a large bowl.
• Repeat until all pears are poached.
• Pour the liquid over poached pears, cover and let stand 18-24 hours in a cool spot.
• Remove pears and discard spice bag and lemons.
• Bring liquid to a boil.
• Pack pears into clean, hot jars.
• Pour boiling liquid to cover leaving 1/2 inch head space.
• Remove bubbles and seal.
• Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes at altitudes up to 1000 feet.

PEAR PICKLES

Steps:

• As you prepare the pears add them to the fruit fresh bath.
• Tie pickling spice, cloves and ginger root in a spice bag.
• Prepare liquid by combining the spice bags, sugar, water, vinegar and lemon slices in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan.
• Bring to a boil, cover and boil gently for 5 min.
• Transfer pears to pickling liquid to create a single layer.
• Cook 7 minutes.
• Remove and place in a large bowl.
• Repeat until all pears are cooked.
• When all the pears are cooked pour the pickling liquid over them.
• Cover and let stand 12-18 hours-in a cool place.
• Pack pears in clean hot jars-remove spice bags and bring liquid to a boil.
• Pour over pears leaving 1/2 inch head space.
• Seal and process 15 minutes at altitudes up to 1000 feet.

PICKLED GRAPES

Steps:

• Remove stems and discard any grapes that aren't firm and unblemished. Place grapes in a quart-size mason jar and set aside.
• Combine vinegar, water, sugar, red onion, mustard seeds, peppercorns, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, star anise pod, and allspice in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until onion is softened, about 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and cool for 15 minutes.
• Carefully pour cooled liquid over grapes and gently swirl jar to incorporate spices. Cover jar and refrigerate 1 day before eating.