Roasted Plums + Amaretti Crumble

Recipe provided by Austin Personal Chef: Carlos Crusco The possibilities for roasting fruits are endless.  In the recipe below we suggest using Spring plums but you can use pears, apples, peaches or apricots when in season. For even more flavor, vanilla beans or spices like cinnamon, cloves, or star anise can be added as well as a strip or two of citrus zest. Ingredients:
  • 4 firm Black Plums – halved & pitted (you can use Peaches, Nectarines or Apricots too)
  • 1/2 cup Orange blossom Honey
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • 1 Orange – zest and 4 tbsps. juice
  • 1/3 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1-2 tbsp. Powdered Sugar
  • 3 Amaretti Cookies – crumbled
Directions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a small saucepan, melt the honey and butter with the orange juice over moderately low heat. Stir in the orange zest. Scrape the honey syrup into a medium bowl, add the halved plums and toss to coat thoroughly.
  2. Arrange plums, cut side down, in a large baking dish and spoon half of the honey syrup evenly over them.
  3. Roast the plums for 10-15 minutes, or until barely tender and beginning to brown on the bottom. Turn the plums and spoon the remaining honey syrup over them. Roast for 8-10 minutes longer, or until tender.
  4. Meanwhile, whip the cream with powdered sugar until slightly firm and somewhat sweet. Set aside.
  5. To serve, add 3 halved plums (cut side up) to a plate or bowl and drizzle the honey syrup all over. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle the crumbled Amaretti Cookies on top. Enjoy!