Pear And Raisin Charlotte Recipes

PEAR AND RAISIN CHARLOTTE

Steps:

• Use some of the softened butter to lightly coat a five- to six-cup charlotte mold, souffle dish or deep round baking dish. Put the raisins in a dish and add the rum.
• Melt the remaining softened butter in a large, heavy skillet. Add the pears and sugar and cook over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, until the pears have softened almost to a puree and most of the liquid has evaporated.
• Stir in vanilla, the raisins and rum. Continue cooking over low heat another 10 minutes or so, until the mixture forms a thick puree. Adjust sweetening to taste. Remove from heat.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut eight of the bread slices in half to form rectangles and the rest in half diagonally. Heat some of the clarified butter in a skillet and saute the pieces of bread until they are golden brown on one side only, adding more butter as needed.
• Fit the triangles, sauteed side down, in the bottom of the baking dish so they fit exactly. Trim away any excess and reserve. Arrange the rectangles, sauteed side out, around the sides of the dish, overlapping slightly. Fill the center with the pear mixture and, if necessary, trim the bread rectangles to be level with the fruit. Scatter all trimmings on top.
• Cover the top with foil and bake about 30 minutes. Remove and allow to cool for an hour. Unmold the charlotte. Serve with whipped cream, creme fraiche or custard sauce.

PEAR CHARLOTTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put the pear slices in a large saute pan with 2/3 cup sugar, the salt, pear liqueur, and lemon juice. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until the pears are soft. Set aside to cool.
• Place the butter, the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar, and the cinnamon in the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the paddle attachment on medium speed, cream the mixture until it is smooth.
• Butter each piece of brioche with the cinnamon butter. With the long side of the bread closest to you, cut each slice into 3 pieces. Line the sides of the ramekins with the brioche pieces, buttered-side against the ramekin.
• Compactly fill the inside of each ramekin with about 1/4 cup of the pear mixture. Trim off any brioche that sticks up above the ramekin.
• Bake the charlottes for 15 to 20 minutes, until the brioche is toasted.
• Spoon some of the vanilla custard sauce on 4 plates, and unmold the charlottes on top.
• Top each with a dollop of creme fraiche.
• Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a stainless steel mixing bowl until
• creamy. Set aside.
• Put the milk and the vanilla extract or vanilla bean in a heavy-bottomed saucepot. Scald the milk, and slowly whisk it into the egg mixture. Put the bowl over a pot of simmering water and cook the custard, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for about 5 minutes, until it begins to thicken. It should coat the back of the wooden spoon. Do not let it boil.
• Cool the custard sauce over an ice bath. Strain and refrigerate until ready to use. Custard sauce will keep for 2 days in the refrigerator.

PEAR AND GOLDEN RAISIN CRISP

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, cut together the topping ingredients with 2 knives until they are well combined and crumbly. Be sure the butter is evenly distributed in the mixture. If desired, freeze for up to 3 months, or use immediately.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In another large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and the tapioca and toss until evenly mixed. Add the pears and toss until they are evenly coated with the mixture. Mix in the raisins. Turn the fruit mixture into a 10 x 2 inch deep round baking dish, preferably glass. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top and bake the crisp for 15 minutes, then turn the oven down to 375 degrees. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes more, or until the topping is golden. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then serve warm accompanied by a dollop of Crema, if desired.
• Whisk the cream and the buttermilk together in a bowl. Cover and set in a warm place (a gas oven with just the heat from the pilot light is fine) for 8 hours. Crema may be kept in the refrigerator for as long as a week.

RAISIN PEAR CHUTNEY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring vinegar and brown sugar to a boil. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until chutney reaches desired consistency., Carefully ladle hot mixture into hot pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner.

PEAR AND RAISIN DELIGHT

Steps:

• Spread pear slices with cream cheese spread.
• Top with raisins and nuts.

SPICED PEAR AND RAISIN PIE

Steps:

• Position rack in lowest third of oven; preheat to 400°F. Boil nectar in heavy medium saucepan until reduced to 1/3 cup, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Pour into large bowl; mix in raisins. Cool completely. Mix in sugar and next 5 ingredients, then pears.
• Roll out 1 dough disk on floured surface to 13-inch round. Transfer to 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Brush inside and top edge of crust with some of glaze. Spoon filling into crust. Roll out second dough disk on floured surface to 13-inch round. Arrange dough over filling. Seal top crust to bottom crust at edge of dish. Trim double overhang to 3/4 inch. Fold under; crimp edge. Using small knife, cut slits in top crust to allow steam to escape. Brush crust and edge with glaze. If desired, roll out any dough scraps and cut out small pear-shaped decorations. Press decorations onto edge of crust.
• Bake pie until pears are tender, covering crust with foil if browning too quickly, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Place on rack; cool completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)

PEAR CHUTNEY WITH RAISINS

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until pears are tender and mixture thickens slightly, about 30 minutes. Discard cloves. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Serve cold or at room temperature.