Title: CHINESE PLUM SAUCE (Duck Sauce)
Categories: Sauces, Chinese
Yield: 4 pints
3 md Bell pepper, red
2 1/2 lb Apricots; stoned &
-quartered *
2 1/2 lb Plum, red; stoned &
-quartered *
5 1/2 c Cider vinegar
2 1/2 c ;Water
1 1/2 c Sugar, white
2 c Sugar, light brown
1/3 c Karo, light
1/2 c Ginger, fresh; peeled &
-chopped
2 tb Salt, kosher
1/4 c Mustard seeds; toasted
1 md Onion; quartered
2 Chile serrano; seeded &
-diced
5 Garlic clove; minced
1 Cinnamon stick
* weight before preparation
Roast the peppers to remove skin; quarter lengthwise
and devein. Set aside.
Combine the apricots, plums, three cups of vinegar and
water in a large non-reactive kettle and simmer until
soft; about 25 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
In another non-reactive kettle, this one very large,
combine the remaining vinegar, sugars, and Karo and
bring to a boil, stirring. Add the fruit mixture,
ginger, salt, mustard seeds, onion, chiles, garlic,
cinnamon, and the skinned bell peppers. Simmer,
covered, for five minutes then simmer uncovered for
one hour, stirring every so often. Remove the cinnamon
stick.
With a food processor, pulse the mixture for a couple
of seconds (this has to be done in batches; process a
little longer if you like a less- textured sauce).
Return to the kettle and boil gently, stirring, until
the sauce has thickened, about 15 minutes (the sauce
will thicken some more as it cools).
Ladle into sterilized jars, either half-pint or pint.
Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (for
half-pint jars) or 15 minutes (for pint jars). Allow
to age in the jar for 2 to 4 weeks before using.
