Tea Poached Prunes Kumquats Food

TEA POACHED PRUNES & KUMQUATS

Steps:

• To poach the prunes, combine one-fourth cup of the sugar with 1 cup of water in a small saucepan, add the tea bags (sans tags) and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring so the sugar dissolves.
• Add the prunes to hot tea syrup and steep with lid on for about 20 minutes until the prunes are tender. If your prunes are large or quite dry, they make take longer. Stir occasionally.
• Once the prunes are tender allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Remove the tea bags and gently squeeze them to extract additional flavor before discarding them. Set aside the prunes (with their liquid).
• To glaze the kumquats, bring 1 cup of water, the remaining one-fourth cup sugar and the kumquats to a boil in a small saucepan.
• Reduce the heat to a gentle boil and cook for about 10 minutes, keeping an eye on them during the last few minutes as the liquid reduces and becomes syrupy. Cool to room temperature.
• Serve the prunes with a bit of their liquid in deep soup plates, with kumquats strewn over the top.

POACHED KUMQUATS

Steps:

• Wash and trim off the ends of: 1 pound kumquats.
• Slice them crosswise into 1/8- to 1/4-inch pinwheels, removing the seeds as you go. Combine in a small saucepan: 2 cups water, 1 cup sugar, One 1-inch piece of vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped into the pan.
• Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Adjust the heat to a low simmer and add the sliced kumquats. Let them cook gently until translucent and tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let them cool in the poaching syrup.

POT-ROASTED PORK WITH PRUNES AND ARMAGNAC

Steps:

• Add armagnac and prunes to a cold pan. Set over medium flame and heat until armagnac begins to bubble. CAREFULLY tip the pan AWAY from you until the alcohol catches flame. (If you have an electric stove, use a long match.) Turn off the heat and allow the alcohol to burn off.
• Tie the pork shoulder with butcher's twine, using 4-6 loops.
• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a sauté pan. Sprinkle meat liberally with salt and pepper, and massage into surface. When oil is shimmering, put roast in pan. Brown meat on all sides, until well-browned. Remove meat to a dish and set aside. Pour out fat.
• Add 1 tbsp fresh oil to pan. When hot, add onions. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. When nicely browned, add white wine, armagnac, chicken broth, chili flakes, honey and tomato paste. Stir together. Add sage. Return pork to the pan. Pour over the plumped prunes and their armagnac. Bring to a boil, cover tightly, and move to a 325F oven for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
• Carefully remove pork to a cutting board. Set pan over medium heat and reduce slightly. Remove string from roast. Allow roast to rest 10-15 minutes, then carve ¼-1/2" thick slices. Add parsley to sauce and pour over sliced pork.