Spiced Mixed Fruit Recipes

SPICED FRUIT

Steps:

• Drain pineapple and pears, reserving 1-1/2 cups juice. Place the pineapple, pears and oranges in a bowl; set aside. In a small saucepan, combine the lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, rosemary, cloves and reserved juices; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature. , Pour over fruit. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Discard cinnamon sticks, rosemary and cloves before serving.

SPICED FRUIT LOAF

Steps:

• Soak the dried fruits in the orange juice for about 30 mins, then sieve, reserving the juice.
• Put the flour, yeast, caster sugar and 1 tsp salt into a large mixing bowl with the spices and soaked fruit and mix well. Make a well in the centre and pour in the warm milk, reserved orange juice, the beaten egg and the melted butter. Mix everything together to form a dough - start with a wooden spoon and finish with your hands. If the dough is too dry, add a little more warm water; if it's too wet, add more flour.
• Knead in the bowl or on a floured surface until the dough becomes smooth and springy. Transfer to a clean, lightly greased bowl and cover loosely with a clean, damp tea towel. Leave in a warm place to rise until roughly doubled in size - this will take about 1 hr depending on how warm the room is.
• Knock the dough back by kneading for a few secs. Dust 2 x 2lb loaf tins with flour. Halve the dough. Use a little flour to help you shape each half into a smooth oval, then pop them into the tins. Cover both loosely with a clean, damp tea towel and leave to prove in a warm place for about 20 mins. Meanwhile, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Bake for 20 mins, then cool in the tins before turning out and slicing.

MIXED BERRIES WITH SPICED MAPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the syrup, cinnamon, star anise, cloves and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer, discarding the spices. Cool to room temperature.
• In a medium bowl, combine the heavy cream, creme fraiche, 2 teaspoons of the spiced syrup and vanilla. Using a large whisk or handheld mixer, beat until the cream thickens and soft peaks begin to form (careful not to over whip).
• Divide the berries among 4 coupe glasses or dessert dishes. Dollop with the whipped creme fraiche and drizzle with 1 to 2 teaspoons of the syrup. Sprinkle with almonds, if using. Leftover syrup will keep for 2 weeks in the refrigerator in a sealed jar.

CITRUS-SPICED MIXED OLIVES

Steps:

• Put the olive oil, garlic, red pepper, herbs, and citrus zests in a medium skillet. Heat over medium-high heat, swirling the pan until the mixture is fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the olives, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is golden and the zest begins to curl, about 5 minutes more. Discard and remove bay leaves, if using. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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SPICED HOT FRUIT

Steps:

• Drain pineapple, reserving juice. In an ungreased shallow 3-1/2-qt. baking dish, combine the pineapple, apricots, peaches and pears; set aside. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, ginger and reserved pineapple juice; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes. Discard cinnamon sticks. Pour over fruit. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until heated through. Serve warm.

SLOW-COOKER SPICED FRUIT

Steps:

• In a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 6 ingredients. Place cloves and cinnamon sticks on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose seasonings; tie securely with string. Place bag in slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, curry powder and wine; pour over fruit., Cook, covered, on low until heated through, 3-4 hours. Discard spice bag; sprinkle with almonds. Serve with a slotted spoon.

MIXED BERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Dissolve cornstarch in brandy in a small bowl and set aside.
• Combine mixed berries, sugar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Add cornstarch mixture and boil until berries break down and compote thickens to the desired consistency, 2 to 3 minutes.

LIGHTLY SPICED MIXED STONE FRUIT

Steps:

• In a large pot, combine sugar, water, and mace. Bring to a boil, stirring until well combined.
• Reduce heat to a simmer.
• Drain fruit and add ½ of it to syrup mixture. Continue simmering until fruit is heated through.
• Spoon fruit into clean pint jars.
• Fill each jar with the hot syrup leaving ½ inch head space.
• Repeat with remaining fruit.
• Remove the bubbles (I use a chop stick but there is an actual tool for this process).
• Wipe the tops of the jars with a damp paper towel, and cover with two-piece caps. Process in a water bath for 20 minutes.
• Makes 6 pints with some syrup left over (use it for another batch or to make sorbet or to sweeten iced tea).

SPICED MIXED FRUIT

Steps:

• Drain fruit juices into saucepan. Add sugar, vinegar, salt, and cinnamon. Tie allspice and cloves in small cheesecloth bag and add to juices. Heat to boiling point and boil 5 minutes. Add all fruits and simmer 10 minutes. Do not boil. Cool. Remove bag of spices. Cover and chill at least 24 hours before serving. Good with meat or poultry as a relish, or with whipped cream for an unusual dessert. Fruit will keep several weeks in refrigerator without canning. The recipe did not say how many servings. I guess about 16. Prep time does not include 24 hour chilling.