Tea Poached Plums Recipes

PLUMS POACHED IN EARL GREY TEA

Steps:

• Pour the 6 cups of water into a large saucepan and bring it to a rolling boil. Remove from heat.
• Add the tea bags, cover and steep for 10 minutes.
• Remove the tea bags, place the pan back over high heat and bring back to a boil.
• Stir in sugar and lemon juice. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
• Reduce the heat to medium low. The liquid should just be simmering, add the plums and poach until tender. The amount of time will vary from 1 minute to longer depending on the size and ripeness of the fruit.
• Remove the plums from the liquid and set aside to cool.
• Continue to simmer the liquid until it is the consistency of a light syrup.
• To serve:.
• Place the plums into small dessert bowls and ladle some of the poaching liquid.

PLUMS POACHED IN MARSALA

Steps:

• Preset oven to 180C (350F).
• Cut plums in half and remove stones.
• Place plums, cut side up, into a rectangular baking dish- corningware, pyrex or similar.
• In a large jug, combine Marsala, vanilla, cinnamon, sugar and lemon rind.
• Mix well then pour this mixture evenly over the plums.
• Bake on the centre shelf of the oven for 40 minutes, turning plums over after 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and strain liquid into a small saucepan.
• Remove the lemon rind and discard.
• Make a paste with the arrowroot and a little water and add to the juice in the saucepan.
• Place pan over a medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until it reaches simmering point.
• Simmer sauce for about 5 minutes until it is slightly thickened and glossy- it will thicken more as it cools.
• Pour the liquid back over the plums.
• Serve plums hot or cold with cream or ice-cream.