Vanilla Scented Plums And Blackberries Recipes

PLUM BLACKBERRY BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or spray a 9 or 10-inch cast iron skillet, 9x9 square baking dish or 9-inch round cake pan with vegetable cooking spray. Set aside.

PLUM-VANILLA PRESERVES

Steps:

• Start with our step-by-step canning how-to.
• Put the plums, sugar, vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks in a large, wide saucepan. Squeeze the lemon juice through a strainer into the pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy or deep-fry thermometer registers 220 degrees F, about 30 minutes. (To be sure that the mixture has reached the gel point, spoon some onto a chilled plate and put in the freezer until cool. The liquid should set; if not, continue to cook and retest after a few more minutes.) Remove the pan from the heat and let cool 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sterilize four 8-ounce canning jars and lids.
• Return the plum mixture to medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring, then add the plumcots. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the plumcots are tender, about 5 minutes. Discard the cinnamon sticks.
• Fill the jars with the plum mixture, leaving 1/2 inch headspace, then seal and process.

VANILLA-SCENTED PLUMS AND BLACKBERRIES

Steps:

• Combine fruits and sugar in medium bowl. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Toss to coat. Let stand at room temperature until juices form, tossing occasionally, about 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 hours ahead. Cover and chill.

ORANGE POLENTA CAKE WITH VANILLA-SCENTED PLUMS AND BLACKBERRIES AND BUTTERMILK ICE CREAM

Steps:

• * Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter 9x5x3-inch metal loaf pan. Dust pan with flour; tap out excess. Whisk 1 1/4 cups flour, polenta, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat sugar, butter, and orange peel in large bowl until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with yogurt in 2 additions, beating just until blended after each addition. Spread batter evenly in pan. * Bake cake until golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool in pan 15 minutes. Run knife around cake edges to loosen. Invert cake onto rack, then invert again on rack (top side up). Cool completely. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap in plastic and store at room temperature. * Cut cake crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices; serve with Vanilla-Scented Plums and Blackberries and Buttermilk Ice Cream.

SPICED PLUM & BLACKBERRY CRUMBLE

Steps:

• First, make the crumble topping. Put the flour and butter in a food processor and pulse to the texture of wet sand. Tip into a bowl and add the sugar and oats. Sprinkle the mixture with 2 tbsp cold water, then use a fork to mix everything together, creating a crumbly texture with a few large clumps. Chill until needed.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Tip all the fruit ingredients, except the blackberries, into a large ovenproof dish. Add 50ml water, cover with foil and bake for 1 hr. Remove the foil and discard star anise. Add the blackberries to the dish, sprinkle over the crumble mixture and return to the oven for a further 25-30 mins until the top is golden. Serve hot with custard.

BRANDIED PLUMS WITH CINNAMON AND VANILLA

Steps:

• Wash plums and prick them all over with a needle. Place them in a 1-quart jar with a tight lid and stir in the sugar. Pour in brandy, covering plums by at least an inch. Add cinnamon and vanilla, cover and shake a few times.
• Let jar sit in a dark, cool place (but not the refrigerator) for at least 6 weeks and preferably 3 months. If the fruit floats to the top, turn the jar over.

PLUMS & BLACKBERRIES IN ROSEMARY SYRUP

Steps:

• Put the sugars into a saucepan with 250ml/9fl oz cold water. Heat gently and stir until the sugars have dissolved, then bring to the boil and simmer for 10 mins to reduce slightly.
• Add the lemon zest and juice, rosemary and plum halves, bring back to a simmer and cook gently for 10 mins until the plums start to soften. Tip the blackberries into the pan and stir gently to warm through. Serve in bowls with scoops of ice cream.