Simon Fischer Lekvar Prune Butter Recipes

LEKVAR (PRUNE FILLING OR PRUNE BUTTER)

Steps:

• 1. Combine everything into a saucepan (except brown sugar) and cook on low heat, stirring every few minutes. Heat to boiling.
• 2. Lower heat to simmer, cover pan and cook for 20 minutes, stirring every few mins.
• 3. Remove lip from pan and add brown sugar. Cook, reducing liquid and stirring every few minutes. Be sure not to scorch. Mash with a wooden spoon until prunes are soft and broken up and mixture is thick until the consistency is like oatmeal (about 20 more minutes so be patient). It will thicken more when cooled.

HUNGARIAN LEKVAR APRICOT OR PRUNE BUTTER

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the dried apricots or prunes in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and continue to cook until the fruit is soft, adding more water as necessary.
• Remove from the heat and place the mixture in a food processor or blender ; purée the fruit until it has a smooth texture. (You can also use an immersion blender directly in the pot.) Return it to the saucepan and add the sugar; taste for desired sweetness, and add more sugar if necessary. Cook until the lekvar is thick.
• To can the fruit butter, place the hot lekvar in hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Cover with hot sterilized lids and rings.
• Process in a water bath for 10 minutes. Remove to the counter and allow to cool before storing in a cool, dry, dark place.
• Enjoy.

HOW TO MAKE LEKVAR (PRUNE BUTTER)

Steps:

• In a small pot, add the prunes and water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once the water boils, turn the heat down and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes to soften the prunes. Using a strainer or a slotted spoon, remove the prunes and place them in a mixing bowl or a mini food processor, reserving the prune water.
• Place the prunes, orange zest and juice, sugar and 2 teaspoons of the reserved prune water in the bowl of a mini food processor. Pulse until mostly smooth - a few pieces of prune are ok. If using a hand blender or potato masher, put all ingredients in a bowl and proceed to blend. Taste for flavor and notice the texture. If it seems too thick to use easily, add the third teaspoon of the prune water.
• If using nuts, place the mixture in a bowl and mix in nuts. Add about half and see how you like the texture. Use the rest if you want a nuttier result.