Plums In Marsala Recipes

PLUMS POACHED IN MARSALA

Steps:

• Preset oven to 180C (350F).
• Cut plums in half and remove stones.
• Place plums, cut side up, into a rectangular baking dish- corningware, pyrex or similar.
• In a large jug, combine Marsala, vanilla, cinnamon, sugar and lemon rind.
• Mix well then pour this mixture evenly over the plums.
• Bake on the centre shelf of the oven for 40 minutes, turning plums over after 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and strain liquid into a small saucepan.
• Remove the lemon rind and discard.
• Make a paste with the arrowroot and a little water and add to the juice in the saucepan.
• Place pan over a medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until it reaches simmering point.
• Simmer sauce for about 5 minutes until it is slightly thickened and glossy- it will thicken more as it cools.
• Pour the liquid back over the plums.
• Serve plums hot or cold with cream or ice-cream.

STRAWBERRIES WITH MARSALA AND LEMON SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the wine, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved. Cook until the liquid has reduced by half, 25 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the nutmeg. Allow the sauce to cool for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving (can be made 3 days in advance).
• To serve: Scoop the gelato into 4 dessert bowls and arrange the strawberries on top. Drizzle with the sauce and top with the crushed cookies.

SPICY PLUM TART WITH MARSALA CUSTARD

Steps:

• Halve, stone and quarter the plums and put to one side. Heat the butter in a large pan with the spice and muscovado sugar for 1-2 minutes, until the butter has melted. Tip in the plums, zest and port and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring until the sugar has partially dissolved. Remove from the heat.
• Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and trim to a rough 38cm round. You don't have to be too neat. Lift up the pastry by draping it over a rolling pin and then laying it over a large baking sheet. The pastry should be too big, with a lot hanging over the edges.
• Sprinkle the ground almonds over the pastry to within 7cm of the edges. Pile the plums and their juices over the almonds, then flip the overhanging pastry over the fruit, leaving a big hole in the middle. There's no need to be too fussy - as long as the steam can escape and the fruit shows, it will be fine. Brush the pastry with the beaten egg and sprinkle the demerara sugar over the top. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden.
• A few minutes before serving, gently heat the custard in a pan, then stir in the marsala or sherry. Serve the pie with lingering warmth and the custard.

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.

PLUMS IN MARSALA

Steps:

• Stir the sugar into the marsala.
• Place the whole plums in an ungreased baking dish, lay in the cinnamon sticks and the vanilla pod and then pour over the marsala mixture.
• Bake at 180C for about 40 minutes.
• If you like a thicker sauce you could also mix a bit of cornstarch into the sauce before baking, but I like it runny.
• Serve with a dollop of greek yoghurt or ice cream on top.
• It's also good mixed into rice pudding.