From the Seattle P-I, October 9, 2007
SLOW PLUMS
MAKES ABOUT 3 CUPS
* 2-3 pounds plums, stoned and cut in half lengthwise
* 1 cup unsweetened grape juice
* 1 whole clove
* 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Place plums cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Place inside a cold oven and bake at 300 degrees for 40-60 minutes. Fruits should be slightly caramelized on cut side.
Combine grape juice, clove and cardamom pods and boil over medium-high heat until juice is reduced by half (5-7 minutes). Add vanilla, strain juice and pour over plums and let stand for 5 minutes. Spoon over vanilla or ginger ice cream. Can or freeze extras.
SAVORY CINNAMON AND NUTMEG APPLES
MAKES ABOUT 1 QUART
* 1 tablespoon olive or walnut oil
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* Pinch of salt
* 8 tart apples, cored and cut in half
Combine oil with spices and salt; set aside.
Brush apples lightly with spiced oil on both sides, then place cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Place inside a cold oven and bake at 300 degrees for 40-60 minutes. Apples should be slightly caramelized on cut side. Serve as a side dish with chicken, salmon or pork. Can or freeze extras.
TANGY AUTUMN APPLES
MAKES ABOUT 1 QUART
* 1 tablespoon canola or walnut oil
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom seeds
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 4 sweet apples, cored and cut in half
Combine oil with spices and lemon juice; set aside.
Brush apples lightly with spiced oil on both sides, then place cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Place inside a cold oven and bake at 300 degrees for 40-60 minutes. Apples should be slightly caramelized on cut side. Serve over ice cream or fresh fruit or as a side dish with chicken, salmon or pork. Can or freeze extras.
MAPLE PEARS
SERVES 4
* 4 pears, cored and cut in half lengthwise
* 1 tablespoon canola or walnut oil
* 1 whole clove
* 3 green cardamom pods
* 1 cup apple cider or fresh apple juice
* 1 tablespoon Grade B maple syrup
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Place pears cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Place inside a cold oven and bake at 300 degrees for 40-60 minutes. Fruits should be slightly caramelized on cut side.
Combine apple cider or juice, clove and cardamom pods and boil until juice is reduced by half (5-7 minutes). Discard clove and cardamom, add vanilla and pour juice over pears, then let stand for 5 minutes.