North Carolina Syllabub Recipes

GLAZED PEARS WITH BROWN-SUGAR OAT CRISP AND PEAR-BRANDY SYLLABUB

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pears, sugar, flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, lemon zest and ginger. Mix in 1 tablespoon lemon juice and the vanilla.
• In a large skillet fitted with a lid, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the pear mixture and sauté for 2 minutes. Pour in cup water and bring to a boil. Cover and cook at a gentle boil for 20 minutes. Uncover and simmer, stirring every 10 minutes, until most of the liquid evaporates, about 40 minutes more. Add the remaining lemon juice and keep at a gentle boil, stirring occasionally, until the liquid becomes syrupy, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Make the crisp: In a large bowl, combine the flour, almonds, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or 2 forks, then mix the dough with your hands until combined and crumbly. Transfer to a small baking sheet and cook until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir the crisp, then let cool and break into pieces with a wooden spoon.
• Prepare the syllabub: Whisk the cream with an electric mixer until it starts to thicken. If using heavy cream, gradually pour in the sugar. Add the brandy, if you choose, one tablespoon at a time, tasting after each addition. Turn the mixer to high and whip to soft peaks.
• Assemble the dessert: in clear glasses, place a layer of pears, followed by a layer of crisp (about 1/3 cup each per serving). Top each with syllabub and dust with cinnamon. Or assemble in a large trifle bowl.

AN EVERLASTING SYLLABUB

Steps:

• Grate the lemon rind finely, squeeze the juice and mix both with the white wine, Madeira and sugar.
• Add nutmeg and beat in the heavy cream gradually with an electric beater or wire whisk. Beat until the cream forms soft peaks, but don't overbeat or the cream will become too dense.
• Spoon the mixture into parfait or Sherry glasses and chill or serve at room temperature. If you want the cream and liquor to separate, make syllabub several hours ahead.
• When ready to serve, garnish each glass with a sprig of rosemary, mint, lavender or a twist of lemon.

NORTH CAROLINA SYLLABUB

Steps:

• Chill all the ingredients well.
• Beat the first four ingredients together.
• Beat cream until stiff.
• Fold cream into the first mixture and beat again.
• Serve with a sprinkling of nutmet on the top.

SYLLABUB

Steps:

• Heat the sugar and wine on low heat in a 1 1/2 quart saucepan until the sugar dissolves; stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and slowly add in the half-and-half.
• Beat until frothy; chill completely, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Pour into glasses, top with whipped cream and sprinkle with nutmeg.

LEMON SYLLABUB

Steps:

• Whip the cream and sugar in a chilled bowl, until the cream begins to thicken. Gradually whip in the white wine, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Continue to whip until light and fluffy, but not grainy. Cover the mixture and chill until serving time.
• Serve in chilled parfait glasses, garnished with a dash of nutmeg, a sprig of mint, and a slice of lemon. Syllabub should be eaten with a small spoon, and savored.