Prunes in Armagnac

A month or so ago I found some prunes just lying around doing nothing. Since it was a wet afternoon and I was thinking about sunnier days, I decided to soak them in some armagnac in a Gascogne manner. Actually, this is not really a Gascogne manner - it’s just what I do. There are many variations on prunes in armagnac and maybe my method is not entirely traditional, but it works for me.

You could, of course, use brandy if armagnac is in short supply or a bit too expensive but if you’re approached by anyone looking even slightly like they come from the south of France and asking awkward questions, then please tell them that you’ve never heard of me and that I never said the bit about brandy.

Once the prunes have matured they not only smell fantastic, they’re also extremely useful. They can be used in tarts, clafoutis and many other desserts but they’re also great in sauces and stuffings with pork and poultry or in terrines and casseroles.

Probably the favourite way of eating them in this household, though, is in ice cream and I will reveal more of that very shortly…..

Prunes in Armagnac

250 g soft, pitted prunes (pruneaux d'Agen, would be nice)
300 ml strong tea (I used 2 Ceylon tea bags)
150 g caster sugar
150 ml water
2 good-sized pieces of lemon peel (only the yellow peel – no white pith)
250 –300 ml armagnac

Place the prunes in a heatproof bowl and pour over the hot tea. Leave to soak for an hour or so. In the meantime, make a simple sugar syrup by putting the caster sugar and water in a saucepan and bringing to the boil, stirring now and then. Boil for about a minute (make sure that the sugar has completely dissolved) and take off the heat. Drop the pieces of lemon peel into the hot sugar syrup.

Strain the prunes and discard the remaining tea. Put the prunes back in the bowl, pour over the sugar syrup, cover the bowl and leave somewhere cool overnight.

The next day, strain the prunes, reserving the syrup but discarding the lemon peel. Put the prunes into a preserving jar (a jar of around 600 – 700 ml should be fine). Mix the reserved syrup with the armagnac, pour over the prunes and seal the jar. Store somewhere cool and dark for around 4 weeks before using.

Prunes in Armagnac

Comments

  1. What a great use for prunes.Can be done with lot of fruit.:)

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  2. Prunes just lying around doing nothing? They must be French!
    These look fabulous, but I will not rest until I find out what you're going to do with them and ICE CREAM!

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  3. I had no idea that tea was involved. I fancy giving these a whirl, but it will have to be brandy I am afraid in this household.

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  4. Forgive me for saying this ... but what a size your prunes are!!! Must be all that booze ;0)

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  5. great way to dress up prunes, they have a horrible reputation among my friends as being old fashioned and good for constipation. but this sounds real posh and delicious!

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  6. Thanks for the comments, everyone. It's a great shame that prunes have such an old-fashioned reputation but, believe me, these have an intensity of flavour that's more than worth the trouble of making them.

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  7. Ooh! This sounds very doable and delish. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. First time we had prunes in armagnac was several years ago in SW France and my wife was given the preparation method and advised that they were best after three years. Today, my wife discovered a sealed jar of prunes she'd put in armagnac around 15 years ago. Tried one with an expresso after dinner. Fabulous !! Definitely not for sharing.

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  9. Thanks for posting this recipe, I have found it today, and started to prepare the ingredients - will try them during the Winter months.

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