Persimmon Ginger Orange Creme Brûlée #FamilyBakingChallenge

I received produce from Melissa’s Produce Company to use in recipes. I received no further compensation. All opinions are my own.
Persimmon Ginger Orange Creme Brulee
Persimmon Ginger Orange Creme Brûlée serves sweet pumpkin persimmons baked with fresh ginger and a hint of orange in a creamy, rich dessert. Break through the crunchy caramelized sugar crust and enjoy.

It’s time to get your baking heads on! Melissa’s Produce Company is sponsoring the #FamilyBakingChallenge for fun and prizes! It’s easy to enter to win over $5000 in cash and baking supply prizes.
Melissa’s is partnering with Challenge Butter, Bigger Bolder Baking, Good Cook, KitchenAid and Bob’s Red Mill to offer fantastic cash and prize packages. Get the details here.

Week two of this six week challenge includes this Sweet Pumpkin Persimmon and Ginger Creme Brûlée recipe. You can find the original recipe here from Gemma at Bigger Bolder Baking.

This was my first attempt at making Creme Brûlée. The original recipe helped make it easy for me to try. I even bought a butane torch just for the occasion. I was not disappointed!

Persimmon Ginger Orange Creme Brulee

A few tips to make a better Creme Brûlée:

  • If you are adding fruit, strain the custard through cheesecloth lined fine sieve. It will look like just liquid, but this set up smooth and silky as a Creme Brûlée.
  • Use hot, hot water for your water bath. The hotter the water the more even cooking.
  • Gently torch the sugar crust just to a golden brown. I used super fine sugar but regular sugar is okay too.

Melissa’s Produce sweet Pumpkin Persimmons are pumpkin in color only! Orange tint is so festive for these desserts. Learn more about this tasty fruit here.
I topped these desserts with a bit of crystalized ginger and orange zest for added bursts of flavor.
Persimmon Ginger Orange Creme Brulee

Persimmon Ginger Orange Creme Brûlée

Persimmon Ginger Orange Creme Brûlée

Persimmon Ginger Orange Creme Brûlée

Servings 3 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 persimmons (I used Melissa's Sweet Pumpkin Persimmons)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon peeled fresh ginger
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
  • 4 tablespoons extra fine sugar for Brûlée topping 
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest for decoration
  • 1 tablespoon thin slices crystalized ginger for decoration

Instructions
 

  • Peel and chop persimmons into small pieces.
  • In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, bring cream, persimmons, ginger to a simmer. Remove from heat and add orange extract. Allow persimmon to steep for about 30 minutes at room temperature to infuse flavor.
  • blend cooled mixture in a blender or food processor until smooth.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together yolks and sugar until light and lemon colored, about 1 minute. Gently fold in cream mixture.
  • Lay cheesecloth over a sieve and strain custard base through it to remove persimmon pulp and ensure a silky smooth Brûlée.

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place 3 6-ounce Creme Brûlée or shallow dishes in a roasting pan. Pour custard into dishes and place pan on middle rack in the oven. Pour hot water into pan about halfway up the sides of the custard filled dishes. Bake until set but still jiggly in the center (about 35 to 40 minutes. be careful to not overbake. Custard will set up the rest of the way as it cools. Remove from water bath and cool at room temperature about 15 minutes before refrigerating. Cool in refrigerator at least 2 hours and up to 2 days before applying sugar crust.
  • Brûlée tops by sprinkling a thin layer of super fine (regular sugar is okay too) evenly over the top. Torch by passing flame in small circles, over the top. Sugar should start to bubble. Apply flame just long enough to brown. Crust will harden as it cools. Add zest and crystal ginger if desired. 

Check out another recipe entry in the #FamilyBakingChallenge , Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings.
Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings

Posted in brunch, Christmas, dessert, fall, ginger, holiday, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings #FamilyBakingChallenge

I received produce from Melissa’s Produce Company to use in recipes. I received no further compensation. All opinions are my own.
Butterscotch Pears show off a festive butterscotch colored skin. These pecan stuffed pears bake to perfection in delicate, buttery, flaky dough pockets.
Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings
It’s time to get your baking heads on! Melissa’s Produce Company is sponsoring the #FamilyBakingChallenge for fun and prizes! It’s easy to enter to win over $5000 in cash and baking supply prizes.
Melissa’s is partnering with Challenge Butter, Bigger Bolder Baking, Good Cook, KitchenAid and Bob’s Red Mill to offer fantastic cash and prize packages. Get the details here.

Week one of this 6 week challenge includes this Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings recipe.

Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings

Butterscotch pears are from Korea. These pears have a delicate taste and hold up as cooked or eat them raw. Learn more about them here.

Original recipe supplied for the contest by Gemma Stafford of Bigger Bolder Baking Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings.

My take on this recipe add a touch of cinnamon to the pecan mixture and a pinch of cinnamon to the sugar sprinkle. It’s just enough to make the flavors pop!

Tender dough is the key to this recipe.

pear dumpling cut

pear dumpling dough

Here’s some tips to get perfect, flaky pie dough:

  • Use the coldest butter to crumble with flour to make the “crumbs” that start the dough. Warmer butter won’t form the tiny air pockets pie dough needs to be flaky. Instead, warm butter will be absorbed by the flour and make a tough, dense crust.
  • Spare the water. It is so important to create moist but not soggy crusts. Add just enough water, a little at a time to make the dough pliable.
  • Don’t overwork the dough. Too much kneading will make it tough.
  • Chill the dough for at least an hour before rolling out.

Follow the hashtag #FamilyBakingChallenge on social media for all the news and challenge recipe creations!

Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings

Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings

Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings

Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cold butter, diced
  • 6-8 tablespoons ice water
  • 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon divided
  • 3 Butterscotch pears, peeled and halved
  • egg wash
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • caramel sauce, optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in cold butter to resemble coarse crumbs. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until dough is soft and pliable. Gently knead into a round. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
  • In a small bowl, combine pecans, melted butter, brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
  • Scoop out the core of each pear and fill with pecan mixture.
  • Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. On a floured surface, roll the dough into 1/8-inch circles.
  • Place one stuffed pear side up, half on each circle. Gently fold dough around the pear and seal. trim off excess dough and save for decorating.
  • Place pastry wrapped pears, sealed side down on parchment lined sheet. Brush each pastry with egg wash. Decorate if desired. Sprinkle with sugar and reserved cinnamon.
  • Bake at 400 for about 30 minutes until crust is golden brown. Cool about 20 minutes. Serve warm drizzled with caramel if desired.
Posted in autumn, breakfast, Christmas, dessert, giveaway, pears, pecans, pie, What's For Dinner? | Comments Off on Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings #FamilyBakingChallenge

Cranberry Broccoli Slaw

Cranberry Broccoli Slaw makes a tasty cool dish to serve with holiday meals. This slaw shows it’s festive Christmas red and green side. A perfect addition to the #CranberryWeek lineup.

Cranberry Broccoli Slaw

I look forward to is Cranberry Week each year, when our group of food loving bloggers share new and favorite cranberry creations with us. Follow hashtag #CranberryWeek to catch up on all the great recipes via social media.
Thanks Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures for hosting #CranberryWeek on such short notice! 🙂

Cranberry Broccoli Slaw balances the tart taste of fresh cranberries with a seasoned rice vinegar and sweet mirin dressing. A bit of onion and parsley help brighten this dish.

Cranberry Broccoli Slaw

I leave the whole broccoli in buds and all. It’s so much better in taste than just using the shredded stalks. A bit of crunch from the cranberries is so good!

Cranberry Broccoli Slaw

Cranberry Broccoli Slaw

Servings 2 1/2 cup each

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup shredded fresh broccoli
  • 1/4 cup shredded onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cranberries
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • dressing
  • 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon mirin
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Stir together in a large bowl, broccoli, onion, cranberries and parsley. Set aside.
  • Whisk together rice vinegar, mirin, salt and oil. Pour over slaw. toss to coat.

Enjoy Our Friday Cranberry Recipes Lineup!

Posted in #CranberryWeek, broccoli, brunch, Christmas, cranberry, salad, What's For Dinner? | Tagged | 9 Comments

Cranberry Chicken Meatballs

Cranberry Chicken Meatballs blend tender chicken mixed with sautéed cranberries, celery and onion. Served with Cranberry Bacon Sauce for dipping. A great #CranberryWeek or anytime treat.

Cranberry Chicken Meatballs

Cranberry Chicken Meatballs
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah and New Year’s celebrations are just around the corner. I know this holiday season will most likely be very different from what we are used to seeing.
But one thing we can count on is the flavors of the season are always there for us, familiar and inviting.
That’s how I feel about cranberries. Every year I’m excited to see fresh cranberries on the grocery shelves.
Another thing I look forward to is Cranberry Week where our group of food loving bloggers share new and favorite cranberry creations with us. Follow hashtag #CranberryWeek to catch up on all the great recipes via social media.
Thanks Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures for hosting #CranberryWeek on such short notice! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to make a ground chicken recipe with cranberries for some time now. Every cranberry season I put it off because I want it just right.
I think I got it! I hope you agree!

Cranberry Chicken Meatballs
I grind the cranberries, celery and onion together to keep them a uniform size. Giving this mix a quick sauté before adding to the chicken really brings out their flavor. A touch of brown sugar balances the tartness.

Cranberry Chicken Meatballs

Cranberry Chicken Meatballs

Servings 18 meatballs

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1/4 cup chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • Bacon Cranberry Sauce
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 slices cooked bacon, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350. Line a cooking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Place chicken, orange juice, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Set aside.
  • Place cranberries, celery and onion in a food processor. Pulse to a loose grind.
  • Heat a small fry pan over medium heat. Add oil, cranberry mixture and brown sugar. Sauté over medium heat until soft, about 2 minutes. Fold into chicken mixture. Stir in parsley and breadcrumbs. Divide mixture into 18 medium-sized meatballs.
  • Place browned meatballs on prepared cooking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, turning once until the meatballs reach 165 degrees. While meatballs bake, prepare sauce.
  • In a 2-quart saucepan, place cranberries, water and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and stir, crushing cranberries as the cook. Cook about 5 minutes until sauce forms and cranberries popped. Stir in bacon.
  • Transfer meatballs to plate or serving tray. Serve with Bacon Cranberry sauce.

Enjoy Our Wednesday Cranberry Recipes

Posted in #CranberryWeek, chicken, Christmas, cranberry, meatballs, Thanksgiving, What's For Dinner? | 11 Comments