Sugarplums

Mists of Pandaria Expansion Idea

Sugarplums!

6 ounces slivered almonds, toasted
4 ounces dried plums
4 ounces dried apricots
4 ounces dried raisins
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup honey
1 cup sugar

You will need:

Toast the almonds for 5 minutes in the oven on 350 degrees F (176 degrees C) until slightly golden.

Put the almonds, plums, apricots, and figs into the bowl of a food processor and pulse 20 to 25 times or until the fruit and nuts are chopped into small pieces, but before the mixture becomes a ball.

Combine the powdered sugar, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Add the nut and fruit mixture and the honey and mix.

Scoop the mixture into 1/4-ounce portions and roll into balls. It is very sticky, you can use gloves if you wish.

If serving immediately, roll in the coarse sugar and serve. If not serving immediately, put the balls on a cooling rack and leave uncovered until ready to serve.
Roll in the sugar prior to serving.

Visions of sugarplums are definitely dancing in my head.

Yum!

Steamed Pandarian Pear

Here are a few ideas I have for new cooking recipes in the new expansion - Mists of Pandaria!

You will need:

2 Asian pears (or Bartlett)

4 teaspoons honey

Raisins

Lemon juice to brush on the pears to prevent discoloration (optional)

1 1/2 C water for the steamer.

Wash the pears and pat dry with paper towels.

Cut the top off the pears and set aside (these will become the lid). 

 Remove the core.

 If desired, cut off a small slice at the bottom so that the pear will stand straight during steaming.

Spoon 2 teaspoons honey into each pear.

 Add raisins.

 Place the top back on the pear. Brush the lemon juice over the skin of the pear if using.

Set up a steamer, or place a rack for steaming inside a deep pot.
Add 1 1/2 C water. Don't let the water touch the fruit.
Put pot on medium heat for 30 minutes or until tender.
Check with a fork.

(Don't have a steamer? How about the quote,"Necessity is the mother of all inventions." - Plato)

Here is my invention:

I used a pot and a trivet, (the metal rack you place a hot pan on.)

Place the pears on a plate and steam, covered, for 30 minutes, or until the pears are tender.
Don't check the pears until after the 30 minutes are up. You don't want to let the steam out.

Serve warm. Yum!