STEWED PRUNES
Wash dried prunes quickly but thoroughly in cold water. Place in saucepan and barely cover with lukewarm water. Allow to soak 1 to 2 hours; then cook in the same water over low heat until fruit is tender – the slower the cooking, the better the product. Since prunes are quite sweet, sugar need not be added when they are cooked plain . The addition of a small amount, however, does give a thicker and more attractive syrup. Chill before serving.
Variation 1: To ½ lb. dried prunes, allow 1 lemon. Wash and soak prunes as described above. Slice lemon very thin and add to prunes when they start to cook, with 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar. Serve lemon slices along with stewed prunes.
Variation 2: Instead of cooking the prunes, allow them to stand in the soaking water for a day or more until sufficiently softened. Keep closely covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Variation 3: Just before serving, add peeled and sliced or diced oranges to the prunes.
Variation 4: Serve the plain stewed prunes or prunes stewed with lemon slices with cream for dessert.
