Spicedplums Recipes

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.

SPICY OVEN-ROASTED PLUMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a shallow baking dish with cooking spray.
• Place the plums, cut-side up, in a single layer in the baking dish.
• Whisk together the orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, and cardamom in a bowl; drizzle over the plums.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until plums are hot and the sauce is bubbly. Top with toasted almonds, if desired (see Cook's Note).

PARMESAN AND PROSCIUTTO SPICED PLUMS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the port, sugar, cider vinegar, cloves, orange zest, cinnamon, salt and 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the prunes; simmer until softened and plumped, about 10 minutes. Allow the prunes to cool in the poaching liquid for 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the prunes to a plate and allow to cool completely.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Using a paring knife, make a slit from stem to tip in each of the prunes. Stuff each with a piece of Parmesan and wrap in a quarter slice of prosciutto. Place the wrapped prunes, seam-side down, on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake until the prosciutto is crispy and the Parmesan is soft and melted, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CRUNCHY SPICED PLUMS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Mix the sugar with 2 tbsp water in a baking dish, add the star anise, then pop in the plums, cut-side down. They should fit quite snugly. Dot with the butter. Roast for about 5 mins until the plums are starting to soften on the bottom, then turn them over. Roast for another 5 mins or until tender - this will depend on how ripe your fruit is.
• Roughly crush the Hobnobs, then spoon a little on top of each plum half. Return to the oven for a few mins more until the biscuit topping takes on a dark gold colour. Serve the plums and their scented, syrupy juices with custard or ice cream.

AUTUMNAL SPICED PLUMS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Arrange plums cut side down in an ovenproof dish that holds them in 1 layer.
• In a medium saucepan, combine honey, syrup, cinnamon, star anise, vinegar and 1 1/2 cups water. Place on medium-high heat. As soon as mixture begins to boil, pour evenly over plums. Cover dish tightly with foil.
• Bake plums until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove foil, and let cool slightly. To serve, place 4 portions of plums in 4 shallow bowls, and top with syrup. Plums may be refrigerated and served cool or reheated.

SPICY PICKLED PLUMS

Steps:

• Slit skin of each plum lengthwise from top to bottom with a sharp paring knife evenly around plum in 4 to 6 places, then put in a heatproof jar.
• Bring water to a boil with remaining ingredients in a 3-quart nonreactive saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes.
• Immediately pour pickling liquid over plums. Cool, uncovered, then chill, covered, at least 1 day.
• Available at Latino markets and Chile Today-Hot Tamale (800-468-7377).
• ** Available at Fauchon (212-308-5919).