A couple of weeks ago, a regular reader asked for a repeat of 'that plum sauce recipe' you had a couple of years ago. After much searching I sent him the link. This is a perfect time of year to make this sauce for eating and giving.

Enjoy those sweet and spicy sauces you get in restaurants? Have you seen the sauces in fancy jars in the supermarket? Not to worry, you can make your own spicy peach and plum sauce for pork and other meats.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. peaches
1 lb. plums
1-1/2 tbspn vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup fresh ginger root, peel and grate
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon chili paste
5 tbspn light brown sugar
1/2 tspn five spice powder (it may be called Chinese Five Spice Powder)*
Dash of salt

DIRECTIONS

Wash plums and peaches in cool water, then peel and pit the fruit. Coarsely chop peaches and plums and place in food processor. Puree mix to a smooth texture.

Use a heavy medium saucepan to heat vegetable oil over medium low heat. Add minced garlic to pan and cook garlic for one minute. Add grated ginger root, stir to mix and cook mixture for an additional minute. Remove from heat, then add the puree of peaches and plums, lime juice, lemon juice, chili paste, brown sugar, five-spice powder and salt. Stir and return mix to medium heat and allow mixture to come to a low boil. Immediately lower heat and simmer for an additional 20 minutes, stirring often to keep sauce from scorching.

When sauce is done, turn heat off and remove pan from unit. Cool for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes, then transfer from to 3 pint jar and place in refrigerator. Serve with pork roast or pork chops.

Nice on an open-face sandwich of thinly sliced pork roast on rye bread. Spread a small bit of mayonnaise on one slice of bread, add cold or hot sliced pork, then top tablespoon spicy peach and plum sauce.

Makes about 2-1/2 cups.

Hint
*If you have a good spice grinder or coffee grinder, you can quickly make your own five spice powder. In a grinder place 1 tablespoon of each powered cloves, cinnamon, ginger and anise in grinder. Add 1 tablespoon fennel seeds and 3 or 4 whole black peppercorns. Grind ingredients into a fine powder. Store in an airtight container.

*If you have a friend who enjoy Asian cooking, five spice powder makes a good 'made in my kitchen' gift.