Join me on this culinary journey as I explore the world of plums and share my top picks for plum-based recipes. Plums are a true kitchen chameleon, capable of adding natural sweetness to desserts or a burst of flavor to savory dishes. With their versatility and rich taste, it’s no wonder why they’re a staple in many cuisines around the globe. In this post, I’ll be delving into my personal favorite plum recipes that are sure to delight even the most discerning palates.
Whether you’re craving a sweet and satisfying plum tart or a tangy and zesty plum chutney, get ready to have your taste buds tantalized and your cooking repertoire expanded.
Plum Sauce
Plum Sauce is a culinary chameleon that effortlessly elevates a variety of dishes with its harmonious balance of sweet and savory flavors. The sauce’s humble ingredients – fresh plums, vinegar, spices, and peppers – come together to create a rich and complex flavor profile deeply rooted in Chinese cuisine. This versatile condiment can be used to add depth and excitement to a range of dishes, from chicken and pork to egg rolls and more.
Its smooth, syrupy texture and tantalizing taste make it an indispensable addition to any kitchen, waiting to be unleashed on unsuspecting plates.
Plum Preserves
This beloved Plum Preserves recipe is a crowd-pleaser among family and friends, perfectly complemented by the richness of Clotted Cream and the warmth of homemade sourdough bread. The sweet and tangy preserves are crafted with a medley of flavors from the plums themselves, as well as a hint of citrus zest and juice from lemons and oranges. Additionally, the option to use plum skins adds an extra layer of depth to this already delectable recipe.
When paired with vanilla ice cream, Plum Preserves becomes a match made in heaven, making it a delightful addition to any dessert gathering.
Stewed Plums
With just four ingredients, Stewed Plums is an effortlessly easy and rapid recipe that yields a delightfully sweet and tangy flavor profile. The plums are gently poached in a cinnamon-infused syrup, resulting in a harmonious balance of flavors. These tender treats can be savored on their own or paired with a variety of dishes, such as ice cream, granola, yogurt, or other favorites. This recipe is ideal for those seeking a quick and flavorful plum dish that’s sure to please.
Easy Plum Jam
Savoring the flavors of ripe plums doesn’t have to be limited to just the plum season. With this classic recipe for Easy Plum Jam, you can preserve the sweet and juicy essence of these luscious fruits all year round. By following a simple and straightforward process, you’ll be able to create homemade jam that’s perfect for snacking, gifting, or serving at your next gathering.
The recipe also includes essential steps on how to properly sterilize jars and achieve the ideal consistency, ensuring a deliciously smooth spread every time. This beloved recipe is an excellent way to enjoy the sweetness of plums long after their peak season has passed.
Plum Loaf
The delightful Plum Loaf is a harmonious blend of sweet and tangy flavors, courtesy of its star ingredient: fresh plums. The baked fruit provides a perfect balance between the two, while the incorporation of sour cream guarantees a tender and flavorful loaf. This recipe is particularly ideal for utilizing less-than-perfect plums, elevating their humble status to a culinary masterpiece.
The crowning glory of sliced plums on top not only adds visual appeal but also enhances the overall taste experience. Furthermore, Plum Loaf retains its moisture exceptionally well when frozen, with the added bonus that it tastes even better after an hour’s rest.
Plum Jam
Here’s a charming and adaptable recipe that brings out the best in juicy plums: Plum Jam With only three essential ingredients – plums, sugar, and lemon juice – you can effortlessly create your own homemade jam while controlling the amount of sweetness to your liking. The end result is a luscious spread with a stunning hue, velvety texture, and a tangy flavor that’s simply irresistible. Enjoy it on toast, as a topping for desserts, or even as an addition to refreshing drinks.
What’s more, making your own plum jam enables you to preserve the fruit’s valuable vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Give this recipe a try and indulge in the sweet taste of summer all year round.
Small Batch Plum Jam
With only four ingredients – including fresh plums, sugar, lemon juice, and an optional cinnamon stick – this small batch plum jam recipe is a breeze to make. What’s more, it’s completely pectin-free, relying on the natural pectin present in the plums to give the jam its perfect gel-like consistency. The result is a stunning ruby red spread that’s both tangy and slightly sweet, with just a hint of warm cinnamon spice.
Whether you enjoy it straight from the jar on toast or scones, swirl it into your morning yogurt or oatmeal, or use it as an ingredient in your favorite baked goods, this small batch plum jam is sure to become a new favorite. And at less than 30 minutes of hands-on time, it’s the perfect way to get your jam-making fix without sacrificing too much of your day.
Plum Upside-Down Cake
Indulge in the sweet and tangy delight of Plum Upside-Down Cake, where plums are nestled in a rich butterscotch sauce atop a flavorful cake. As the plums caramelize and become jammy, they add a burst of sweetness to the moist and tender cake. This versatile recipe allows for experimentation with various fruits like peaches, nectarines, and pineapple, making it perfect for those looking to mix things up.
Serve warm or at room temperature alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a truly satisfying treat.
Plum Oatmeal Crisp
In the realm of desserts, few can rival the charm of Plum Oatmeal Crisp. This delectable treat masterfully blends the inherent sweetness and tanginess of plums with the satisfying crunch of oatmeal and brown sugar. The plum mixture, carefully prepared by combining diced fruit with lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, and cinnaminas, undergoes a transformation as it’s baked to perfection.
The end result is a golden-brown crisp that exudes warmth and comfort, inviting indulgence in both its warm and chilled forms. With the freedom to adjust the sweetness and consistency of the fruit base according to your taste and the plums’ natural juiciness, this Plum Oatmeal Crisp proves an exemplary showcase for the flavors of fresh plums.
Spiced Plum Butter
Indulge in the warmth and comfort of Spiced Plum Butter, a sumptuous spread that harmoniously blends the sweetness of summer plums with the inviting aroma of allspice. This delightful condiment is perfect for savoring on toasted bread, flaky biscuits, or as a sweet treat straight from the jar. As the plum and spice flavors meld together, you’ll be transported to a cozy winter’s day, reminiscent of Christmas morning.
With a shelf life of up to 2 weeks when refrigerated, Spiced Plum Butter is an ideal addition to your pantry, providing a convenient and delicious way to add a touch of festive flair to any occasion.
Easy Plum Amaretto Sorbet
As the sun warms up on a lazy summer day, there’s no better way to beat the heat than with a scoop (or two) of Easy Plum Amaretto Sorbet. This delightful treat is a masterclass in balancing sweet and tart flavors, with the natural sweetness of plums taking center stage. The addition of Amaretto adds a sophisticated layer of depth, while just the right amount of honey prevents any tartness from dominating the palate.
The beauty of this sorbet lies not only in its taste but also in its versatility – whether you’re using an ice cream machine or opting for a manual approach, the end result is always a refreshing and vibrant dessert that’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds. The use of whole fruit, including the flavorful peels, is a stroke of genius, as it adds an extra layer of complexity to each spoonful.
Plum Torte
This iconic Plum Torte recipe from The New York Times boasts an effortless charm, yielding a dessert that’s at once dense and light, moist and subtle. A symphony of flavors unfolds as the sweet-tart plums release their jammy essence, tempered by a hint of firmness. The torte itself is a masterpiece, boasting a stunning deep purple hue and a crumb so dense it’s almost chewy. Its adaptability knows no bounds, allowing you to substitute other seasonal fruits with ease.
As an added bonus, this beginner-friendly recipe is perfect for any occasion, making it an excellent choice for those looking to impress without breaking a sweat.
Plum Chutney
Plum Chutney’s unique trifecta of spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors makes it an exceptional condiment that can elevate a wide range of dishes. This versatile spread is surprisingly easy to prepare, requiring only ripe plums and a medley of spices. Its adaptability allows you to tailor the flavor profile to your personal preferences, whether paired with meats, cheeses, or enjoyed as a standalone accompaniment, Plum Chutney offers a delightful alternative to traditional sweet plum jam.
Moreover, its nutritional benefits and vibrant flavors make it an essential recipe for anyone who savors the taste of plums.
Golden Spiced Plum Jam
This Golden Spiced Plum Jam recipe is a masterclass in balancing sweet and tangy flavors, highlighting the natural charm of yellow plums. By incorporating a trio of warm spices – cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom – the jam explodes with an array of aromas. With its foolproof instructions and the plums’ built-in pectin, this spread is guaranteed to set perfectly. Whether paired with rich cheese and crusty bread or used as a sweet surprise on a morning muffin, this golden gem is an absolute must-try.
Plum Oatmeal Bars
Indulge in the delightful harmony of The Plum Oatmeal Bars, where the tangy plum filling mingles with the buttery, oat-infused crust. As you take a bite, the contrasting textures of the soft plums and crispy crust come together in a satisfying symphony. The sweetness of the crust beautifully complements the tartness of the plums, striking a perfect balance of flavors.
A convenient and portable treat, these bars masterfully showcase the natural sweetness of plums, making them an irresistible delight to savor on-the-go.
Wild Plum Jam
Wild Plum Jam is a masterclass in balance, marrying sweet and tart flavors in perfect harmony. This delectable spread can be crafted using either wild-grown or commercially produced plums, yielding a rounded flavor profile that deftly combines notes of sweetness with subtle hints of bitterness and tannin. Whether you’re looking for a breakfast preserve or a sophisticated condiment to elevate your cheese board, Wild Plum Jam is the perfect accompaniment.
The recipe itself is refreshingly straightforward, relying on just three ingredients: plums, lemon juice, and sugar—no store-bought pectin required. If wild plums are out of reach, store-bought varieties can be seamlessly substituted, with the added option to incorporate cranberries for a tangy twist that adds an extra layer of complexity. Ultimately, Wild Plum Jam is a delightful and versatile recipe that distills the essence of plums into a jar, awaiting your discovery.
Chilli Plum Sauce
This Chilli Plum Sauce recipe is an exciting condiment that harmoniously blends sweet and sour notes with a subtle chilli kick. The combination of sugar plums, red chillies, white vinegar, and spices like star anise and ground ginger creates a flavorful sauce that’s simple to prepare. Its versatility makes it an excellent substitute for Chinese plum sauce or chilli sauce in various dishes, from burgers to stir-fries.
A unique aspect of this recipe is the use of plum stones, which naturally thicken the sauce, eliminating the need for commercial pectin. Overall, this Chilli Plum Sauce recipe is a must-try for those seeking a balanced and spicy condiment that complements their meals.
Plum Sorbet
Indulge in the sweet and tangy delight of Plum Sorbet, a refreshing dessert that showcases the ripened flavor of juicy plums. Free from dairy and eggs, this vegan sorbet boasts an incredibly low fat content, making it a guilt-free treat. Feel free to adjust the sugar levels to your taste, allowing the natural sweetness of the fruit to shine through. When making homemade sorbet, it’s essential to consume it within a few hours of freezing to prevent iciness from setting in.
\n By doing so, you’ll be able to fully appreciate the rich flavor and creamy texture. As an added bonus, this dessert is perfect for hot summer days when nothing beats the cooling sensation of a sweet and tangy treat. With its versatility in using up overripe plums and simplicity in preparation, Plum Sorbet is an ideal solution for a quick and satisfying dessert.
