Brandiedmustard Recipes

BEER MUSTARD

Steps:

• Soak brown and yellow mustard seeds with dark beer in a large bowl set in the refrigerator for 24 hours. If the seeds soak up the beer too quickly, add more beer.
• Transfer the soaked mustard seeds to a food processor along with garlic, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Pulse until desired consistency is reached.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes.
• Pack the mustard into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top.
• Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles.
• Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Refrigerate the jars of mustard for 2 weeks before using.

BRANDIED PEARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Mix 1/3 cup brown sugar with water and lemon juice together in an ungreased baking dish until sugar is dissolved. Arrange pear halves, core side down, in the dish, and baste with the sauce. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake pears in the preheated oven for 20 - 25 minutes, or until fork-tender but not mushy.
• Meanwhile, mix nuts together with the remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons brandy, and the yogurt; set aside. In a separate bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks form. Sprinkle in white sugar and remaining 2 teaspoons of brandy, or liqueur of choice, and gently whip a few strokes more.
• To serve, place one pear half in the center of each serving plate and fill core cavity with nut stuffing. Top with whipped cream. Serve warm.

BRANDY SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. In a medium bowl, lightly beat egg yolks.
• In a small, heavy saucepan, bring cream to a boil over medium-high heat. Add butter and sugar, and stir until completely dissolved, about 2 minutes. Whisk 1/4 of hot cream mixture into egg yolks, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Transfer egg-yolk mixture back to saucepan, and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking frequently, until mixture is very thick, about 5 minutes. (Mixture will have the consistency of a thick pudding.) Remove from heat, and stir in cognac. Transfer sauce to a clean bowl, and place in ice bath to chill. Brandy sauce will keep in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for 1 week.

BRANDIED PEARS

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl halfway with cold water, and add lemon juice. Peel pears as carefully and smoothly as possible, leaving stems attached. Place pears in water as they are peeled.
• Combine sugar, cinnamon sticks, and 3 quarts water in a large stockpot. Drain pears, and add to pot. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until just tender when pierced with a knife, 10 to 30 minutes, depending on size and ripeness.
• Remove pears from liquid with a slotted spoon, and divide evenly among three quart jars.
• Raise heat under pot to high, and cook liquid until reduced to 2 cups, about 50 minutes. Remove from heat; strain liquid through a sieve lined with cheesecloth into a bowl. Divide the liquid evenly among the jars, and add about 1 cup brandy, or enough to cover pears, to each. Allow jars to cool, and screw on lids. Refrigerate for several weeks before eating to allow flavors to develop.