Plums are a delicious and versatile fruit that can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savory. With their sweet and juicy flavor, plums make for a perfect ingredient in desserts, jams, salads, and more. In this blog post, we'll explore some creative and delicious plum recipes that will have you incorporating this fruit into your cooking repertoire in no time.
Before we dive into the recipes, let's take a closer look at plums and their nutritional benefits. Plums are a stone fruit, meaning they have a single large seed in the center. They come in a variety of colors, including red, yellow, and purple. The rich purple-black plums are known as 'black diamond' plums and are the most widely used in cooking. Plums are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them not only delicious but also nutritious.
Now, without further ado, let's explore some mouth-watering plum recipes to try at home.
1. Plum Galette
A galette is a rustic, free-form tart that is simple to make and looks stunning. This plum galette is a perfect way to showcase the natural flavor of plums, and it's a great dessert for the end of a summer meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3-4 tablespoons ice water
- 6-8 plums, pitted and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
Instructions:
1. In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Pulse a few times to mix.
2. Add in the cubed butter and pulse until pea-sized crumbs form.
3. Slowly add in the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and pulse until the dough comes together.
4. Form the dough into a ball, flatten it into a disk, and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
5. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a circle, about ¼ inch thick.
8. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet.
9. Arrange the sliced plums on top of the dough, leaving about 2 inches of dough around the edges.
10. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the plums.
11. Gently fold the edges of the dough over the plums, leaving the center exposed.
12. Brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg.
13. Sprinkle the coarse sugar on the edges.
14. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the plums are soft and bubbly.
15. Let the galette cool for 10 minutes before serving.
2. Plum Salad with Feta and Pistachios
This refreshing and colorful salad is a great way to incorporate plums into a savory dish. The combination of sweet plums, salty feta, and crunchy pistachios creates a burst of flavors and textures in every bite.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 2 plums, pitted and sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup shelled pistachios, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
2. Add in the mixed greens and toss to coat.
3. Arrange the sliced plums on top of the greens.
4. Sprinkle the crumbled feta and chopped pistachios on top.
5. Serve immediately.
3. Plum Jam
Homemade jam is a delicious way to preserve the flavor of summer fruits. This plum jam is sweet, tangy, and perfect for spreading on toast, scones, or using as a topping for ice cream.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds plums, pitted and chopped
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine plums, sugar, and lemon juice.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low and let the jam simmer for 30-35 minutes, until it thickens.
4. To test if the jam is set, place a small amount on a cold plate and give it a few minutes to cool. If it's spreadable and doesn't run, it is ready.
5. Remove the jam from heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.
6. Transfer the jam to sterilized jars.
7. Let the jam cool completely before sealing the jars.
8. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
4. Plum Glazed Chicken
This plum glazed chicken is a mouth-watering combination of sweet and savory flavors. The glaze is made with plums, ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of brown sugar, giving the chicken a deliciously sticky and flavorful coating.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 plums, pitted and chopped
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
4. Add in the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
5. In a small saucepan, combine garlic, ginger, chopped plums, soy sauce, and brown sugar.
6. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the plums break down and the sauce thickens, about 8-10 minutes.
7. Place the cooked chicken breasts in a baking dish.
8. Pour the plum glaze over the chicken, making sure to coat each piece.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the glaze is caramelized.
10. Garnish with sesame seeds, if desired.
11. Serve hot with your choice of sides.
5. Plum Upside-Down Cake
This plum upside-down cake is a beautiful and delicious dessert that is sure to impress. The caramelized plums on top add a burst of flavor to the light and moist cake underneath.
Ingredients:
- 6-8 plums, pitted and sliced
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a 9-inch cake pan, pour the melted butter and sprinkle the brown sugar on top.
3. Arrange the sliced plums in a single layer on top of the sugar.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
5. Add in the flour, baking powder, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
6. Slowly pour in the milk and mix until the batter is smooth.
7. Pour the batter over the plums in the cake pan.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes before flipping it onto a serving plate.
10. Serve warm with whipped cream, if desired.
In conclusion, plums are a fantastic and versatile fruit that can be used in a variety of dishes. These five delicious plum recipes are just the beginning, and we encourage you to get creative and explore other ways to incorporate this fruit into your cooking. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, there's a plum recipe for everyone to enjoy. So next time you come across fresh plums at your local market, don't hesitate to give one of these recipes a try. Happy cooking!