A clever recipe that provides a shortcut to quickly and easily make pâtes de fruit, a jellied candy made with fresh fruit.
Prep Time:15 minutesmins
Cook Time:15 minutesmins
Cooling Time::8 hourshrs
Servings 1000.75 X 0.75 INCH [2-CM] PÂTES DE FRUITS
Author Marie Asselin (FoodNouveau.com)
Ingredients
2cups500 ml thinly sliced rhubarb stalks (greener tops discarded)
½cup125 ml water
2cups500 ml sliced strawberries
1cup250 ml strawberry jam, store-bought or homemade (if using store-bought, make sure to use a quality brand that uses natural ingredients, such as Bonne Maman)
3envelopes unflavored powdered gelatinI use Knox gelatin
Combine the rhubarb and water in a medium saucepan and set over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the rhubarb breaks apart, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the strawberries and the strawberry jam, and stir to soften the jam (especially if it is a set variety). Use a stick blender to puree the fruit mixture to a smooth consistency (you can also use a stand blender or a food processor to do this step). Strain the puree back into the saucepan. Put back over medium-high heat and boil, stirring often, until the mixture is reduced to 3 cups (750 ml), about 10 minutes.
While the fruit mixture is cooking, pour ¾ cup (180 ml) in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over. Let stand until the gelatin softens, then heat in the microwave for 20 seconds and stir so the gelatin dissolves completely. Whisk the melted gelatin into the hot strawberry and rhubarb puree, then pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Let cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
When the pâtes de fruits are set, run a sharp knife around the edges of the baking pan, then pull the candy mixture out of the pan using the wax paper. Set on a cutting board, then use a clean sharp knife to cut the mixture into squares, or use mini cookie cutters to cut out attractive shapes. If you’re not serving the candies right away, store them in an airtight container in layers separated by wax or parchment paper.
Right before serving, pour some strawberry-flavored sugar (or cane sugar, or regular granulated sugar) onto a shallow plate and roll each piece of candy into the sugar to coat completely. Serve immediately: as the sugar-coated pâtes de fruit stand, the sugar will moisten and eventually become wet and drippy, which makes for a less attractive presentation. You can also eat the pâtes de fruits without the sugar coating, they’re quite delicious as is.
Recipe Credit: Adapted from a recipe by Jacques Pépin.
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