Olla-Podrida: Melissa's Organic Plum Bites

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Plum Cobbler

I have a seriously short attention span. Sometimes that worries me. Case in point, I was at the market the other day eyeballing the huge stack of local peaches. Peaches are one of my favorite fruits, so I was trying to decide which size bag I wanted to buy. I didn’t want to overdo it as I have done with things in the past (you know how I can be), so I decided to go for a 3-pound bag. I turned my body as I was reaching for the bag and, in the doing, spotted a sale on avocados. Before you could say “guacamole” I was standing by a bin full of avocados that were on special. I haven’t had guacamole in ages, and I love it on top of a turkey sandwich, and, hey, turkey is on sale at the deli! But, I thought to myself, I also need good bread. Hey! Fresh bread is on sale in the bakery. So, I picked out the best avocados from the bunch, bagged them up and put them in my cart, headed straight for the deli counter where I bought not only turkey, but ham that was also on sale, bread, and felt quite chuffed as I made my way to the checkout. It wasn’t until I got home and started unpacking things that I realized the checker had not rung up my peaches. Then I realized it was because they weren’t in my cart. Sigh.

I did have the great fortune to receive a good number of Melissa’s Organic Plum Bites, so I decided, why be locked into peach cobbler? I will make plum! It was exceptionally good, and I think I may make this again before the season is out. Plums are a favorite of mine, but if they’re not a favorite of yours, I really think you could probably use any stone fruit in this cobbler. It’s easy to make, and absolute heaven when topped with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Plum Cobbler

3 lbs. Melissa’s Organic Plum Bites, seeded, cut into thin wedges

1/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon cornstarch

Topping

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Few gratings fresh nutmeg

6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1/4 cup boiling water

Sanding sugar for top

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Toss plums with sugar, lemon juice, almond extract, and cornstarch in a 2-qt. nonreactive baking dish and bake in middle of the oven 10 minutes.

While plums are baking. Place all topping ingredients EXCEPT WATER into a food processor, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. With motor running, stream in water just until combined.

Remove plums from oven and drop spoonfuls of topping over them. (Topping will spread as it bakes.) Sprinkle with sanding sugar, if desired. Bake in middle of oven until topping is golden, about 20-25 minutes.

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These Simple Plum Tarts are another super simple, delicious plum dessert.

This post is linked to:

Happiness is Homemade Sunday

What’s for Dinner Sunday

Dishing It & Digging It

Full Plate Thursday

Thursday Favorite Things
Funtastic Friday

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Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Simple Plum Tarts

This is one of the easiest pastries that you’re ever going to make, because there is really not much baking involved, it’s really a matter of assembly. It requires nothing more than fresh stone fruit, puff pastry, and sugar. Yep, that’s pretty much it. I used plums because they are in season, and I love them, but next time, if I can get my hands on some delicious peaches, I’m going to use them. I’m sure that nectarines or apricots would work equally as well, and if I’m feeling dangerously inventive, I may give fresh cherries a go.

If you want to do something special for the family for their weekend breakfast, or dazzle overnight guests, just remember to put out one sheet of puff pastry from a Pepperidge Farm two-pack into the fridge before you retire in the evening. The next day take it out, cut it up, line it with the stone fruit, and bake. They are beautiful, delicious, and come on, with fresh fruit, these have to be good for you, right?

Simple Plum Tarts

1 sheet frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3-oz. pkg.), thawed
1 pound Melissa's Organic Plum Bites, pitted, sliced into wedges*
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Powdered sugar
Honey or maple syrup to drizzle

*I found that one plum made one tart

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Unfold pastry onto cutting board. You will see that it makes a triptych. Cut on those two fold lines, and then cut in half to make six 4" rectangles. Place pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with plum slices, leaving a 1/2" border. Sprinkle each tart with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Bake tarts, until edges of pastry are puffed and golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup just before serving.