Eliot's Eats

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Chocolate Pear Jam

Wow—doesn’t this sound delicious (and interesting)?

This was one of the delicious chocolate-themed dishes that Chef Sarah made for us during our recent cooking class at The Canebrake.

I have to say that we were not prepared for a jam.

Truffles?   Yes.

Chocolate cups?   Yes.

Chocolate dipped strawberries?   Yes.

Chocolate jam?   No.

This was a delicious surprise.   (Sorry about over-using the adjective “delicious.”).

Chef Sarah prefaced this recipe by saying, “This rich jam is great on toasted English muffins, biscuits or as a quick filling for miniature tart shells.”

Chocolate Pear Jam
From Chef Sarah Leavell of The Canebrake

1 1/4 lbs. ripe pears (peeled and cored)
1 3/4 c. sugar
1 lemon, juiced
1 vanilla bean (split)
4 oz. chopped milk chocolate

Finely chop the pears and place in a large saucepan.   Add sugar, lemon juice and vanilla bean.   Bring the mixture to a boil and stir gently.   Boil rapidly, stirring often, until jam is set (around 20 minutes).

To test if the jam is set, remove the pan from the heat and place a teaspoon of jam on a chilled saucer for two minutes.    A skin should form on the surface of the jam if it is set.   If not, keep cooking and stirring.

Once you deem the jam is set, add the chocolate and bring the mixture back to a boil until chocolate is melted.

Remove jam from heat.

Store jam in an airtight, heat-proof container and allow it to completely cool in the refrigerator.   Store jam for up to one month.

I asked if this jam could be water-bathed and sealed for pantry storage.   Chef said, “Yes.”      Dark chocolate could also be used in this recipe.   She again encouraged the class to experiment with other fruits and chocolate combinations in jam form:   “As long as you don’t burn the chocolate, you can eat it.”

Instead of English muffins, this chocolate pear jam was served on rye toast triangles.    The savory rye bread worked well with this super sweet jam.

Chocolate Pear Jam
Chocolate Pear Jam

I can’t wait for pear harvest!

You will not believe what is next: Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Earl Grey Buttercream.


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Comments & Replies

20 responses to “Chocolate Pear Jam”

  1. Jen @JuanitasCocina Avatar

    I see chocolate jam scones in my future.

    1. Eliot Avatar

      MMMMM. Good idea and use for this stuff!

  2. Katerina Avatar

    Two thumbs up for this delicious jam!

    1. Eliot Avatar

      Thanks, Katerina. I think I will make it this fall with fresh pears and dark chocolate.

  3. Angie@Angie's Recipes Avatar

    I have never had a jam made with a combo of pear and chocolate. Fascinating!

    1. Eliot Avatar

      I had never even heard of anything like this!

  4. CCU Avatar

    This jam puts other jams to shame 🙂

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    1. Eliot Avatar

      Thanks, CCU.

  5. Suzie Avatar

    I have a couple of pear trees, I will have to try this for sure. It sounds different but, totally unique and yummy 🙂

    1. Eliot Avatar

      We just planted a “three-in-one” Asian pear tree. I hope for some pears in the near future!

  6. Kalamity Kelli Avatar

    I got a couple of Asian Pears for Christmas and so I worked them up and then put them in the freezer – I have chocolate – hmmmmmmmmm………..betcha’ I’m making this on the weekend! If I get to it I will post pix!

    1. Eliot Avatar

      Ooh—please do. Everyone who reads this comment needs to go check out Kelli’s Peeps art!!!!! 🙂

  7. Kalamity Kelli Avatar

    Awwww……thank you!

  8. mjskit Avatar

    Really? Chocolate in a jam! Now that’s ingenious! I do love this jam! Thanks so much for sharing it. Serving it on rye toast is very interesting.

    1. Eliot Avatar

      It was delicious. This actually has me thinking about a dark sweet cherry-chocolate jam. Thoughts?

  9. Aimee @ Chickenville Avatar

    Hey gal, I hope you had a wonderful Easter.

    This jam is seriously yummy sounding. I never think about adding chocolate to jam. Pretty much the herbs are as wild as I have gotten. What kind of chocolate did you use?

    1. Eliot Avatar

      Chef Sarah used milk chocolate but I am going to try dark chocolate as soon as I can get some pears (but I am thinking I will try some dark sweet cherry jam with chocolate next)!

  10. […] you ever been over to the Eliot Eats blog? It’s this wonderful mix of elegant and down to earth recipes, garden tips, restaurant […]

  11. […] on over and check out the original recipe.)       I was also inspired by Chef Sara from our chocolate cooking class to add a bit of chocolate to the […]

  12. […] you ever been over to the Eliot Eats blog? It’s this wonderful mix of elegant and down to earth recipes, garden tips, restaurant […]