Saturday, March 19, 2011

Spiced Sugar Plums

Chris from Mele Cotte is hosting this edition of Weekend Herb Blogging and this week I've got some dainty sugar plums.

sugar plums© by Haalo

These are actually D'agen plums but for some reason they are now being sold under the name "Sugar Plums".

Underneath that mottled purple skin you'll find that the flesh is golden

d'agen plum© by Haalo


and as the name suggests, quite sweet and juicy.

The dish I've made is inspired entirely by their name - Sugar Plums are a Christmas cookie fragrantly spiced with cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg and in this recipe, I've gently cooked the plums in a similarly spiced light caramel.

Spiced Sugar Plums© by Haalo


Spiced Sugar Plums

10 sugar plums, halved, stones removed
25 grams butter
1-2 tablespoons raw caster sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon nutmeg
lemon juice, optional


You'll need a skillet that is just large enough to snugly hold the plums in one layer.

Add the butter to the skillet and place on a medium heat - as it starts to melt, sprinkle in the sugar and spices. Stir until the sugar has melted and then add in the plums, cut side down. Turn the heat down as low as possible and gently cook for a couple of minutes before turning the plums over. You'll find that some of the plum juices will release to help form a caramel-like sauce. Cook for another 2 minutes then turn them over again - you want the plums to soften slightly but not collapse otherwise you'll end up with a type of spiced plum jam instead. This really shouldn't take any more than 5 minutes.

Finish off with a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired and serve at once.

Spiced Sugar Plums© by Haalo


These are best served hot - as I've done here as an accompaniment to buttermilk pancakes though they would be lovely with muesli or even porridge.

7 comments

  1. Buongiorno bellissima questa tua ricetta molto gustosa, mia mamma ha avuto per tanto tempo la pianta di questo frutto nel giardino, ciao ♥

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  2. I am getting quite tired of our winter here, and your plums make me dream of summer.

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  3. Ohhh ... with the pancakes should be very good ^^ I really like the plums
    and I made plum jam. Gnamm!!!Bye Kris

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  4. oh wow...these look stunning. Actually kind of speechless! :)

    Working on round up now....

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  5. Grazie Stefania!

    Hopefully summer will come early for you Simona!

    Thanks Kristina - love plum jam too!

    Thanks Keana!

    Thanks Chris - looking forward to the recap!

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  6. I agree with simona wholeheartedly, tom

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