On the long list of things that complete me are the following:
You.
Margaritas.
My sisters.
Unsweetened, too creamy coffee.
Doughnuts,
and things that I can’t ruin (yea… generally speaking).
It’s Monday. Sometimes Mondays are stupid with their challenges (ie: getting the heck out of bed), and I just need to embark on a task that I know I can’t futz up. Roasting fruit is absolutely my go-to no-futz maneuver. It’s all about starting with something already delicious, adding to its delicious, then toasting it in the oven. I really can’t go wrong. It’s summer Monday perfect…. especially if you add coffee and granola (just sayin’).
Tomorrow can I bring you a Notes to Self: Part Four? I need to tell you how I’m afraid of everything… (but so is everyone else).
Beautiful black plums. I love how dark and frosty the skins are. They feel like a mystery. Inside the fruit is light and sweet while the skin stays taut and tart.
Wait… does that make any sense at all?
I topped these plums very simply with a combination of sweet and savory ingredients. Olive oil, granulated sugar, some fresh thyme leaves, and a good pinch of salt. The sweet and savory combination keeps the plums balanced. We don’t need to add a ton of sweetness to the already sweet fruit… we just want to enhance it with balance.
Quality time in a hot oven encourages these plums to ease slightly, creating tender, warm, soft-skinned fruit pieces.
It’s all about the pairings. I placed these warm plums over a non-fat Greek yogurt and granola combination. I consider it breakfast, brunch, and lunch. These plums would also be totally incredible atop vanilla bean ice cream with a salty caramel sauce. Really though… what wouldn’t be delicious on top of ice cream and caramel?
These roasted plums are a simple way to enjoy August. It’s not a lot of fuss. We don’t need a lot of fuss when we’re starting off with pretty and good.
Roasted Plums with Olive Oil, Thyme & Yogurt
serves 4
4 to 6 rip plums, cut in half and pitted
a good drizzle of olive oil
two pinches salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
nonfat Greek yogurt
granola
Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In an 8×8-inch square baking pan, place halved plums, cut side up. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, sugar, and thyme leaves.
Roast for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the plums are cooked through and beginning to bubble. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to warm or room temperature.
To serve, place desired amount of Greek yogurt in a small bowl. Add two roasted plums, and top with granola. Serve immediately.
Plums will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. They can be reheated or served cold.
79 Responses
i’m glad to hear the nectarines worked out! That’s the fruit I have on hand on the moment and I can’t wait to give this a try. Thanks for your creativity, Joy!
Okay, this is bold – to partner the plums with granola for breakfast. I saw the title and here I was thinking that they’d be good with a chop, pilau and some steamed green beans for dinner.
(Please excuse the lateness of this comment; I’ve just discovered you via Jeanne (CookSister!) who pointed to your wonderful post about cat treats.)
My goodness you are a stupendous lady! One of the best parts of my week is trying out what new and wonderful tasties you have most recently shared :). I had this for breakfast today AND yesterday, the first time made with nectarines as I was without plums, and the second time with plums. I think I preferred the nectarines, give it a try!
Are you really able to read all the messages?! :) I’ve seen you have a lot of them. I can read all the messages of my blog, but I have muuuuch fewer than you :) I also be really happy when somebody writtes me and I always answer everybody, but you have so much….! I have seen your recipes in my Flipboard, I really like them and the photos are so nice… Thanks for sharing your knowledges :)
I think I put my comment in the wrong place, sorry, I wanted to put it in your last post of september 2 :(
I love your posts. I feel like I haven’t said that yet. Like it should be evident because I always come back to comment but I do. I love the way they sound and how they’re written. They always go so perfectly with your pictures and your food.
Just in case you didn’t know.
Thanks Joy!
Such a fun way to use my fresh thyme from the garden – delicious.
https://tblondonlori.blogspot.com/2012/08/garden-to-table-thyme.html
i love the idea of these for a brunch. It sounds so good, sweet, warm, juicy with a hint of something savory. Would it work with peaches too?
Thats a great recipe you have posted. I am a big fan of plums but never tried roasting them but from the pictures it looks yum and delicious. Certainly gonna try this out very soon.
I’ve never roasted plums before. But I think this is going to be a delicious treat.
Where did you find that beautiful fabric with birds & flowers?
I tried this last night–used rosemary instead. Delicious
Wow, roasted plums??
I’ve never thought on that. And there’s so many plums on my mom’s garden!!
Mmm… :)
There is not better spice to warm up a heart than “thyme”
Those flavor combinations sound just incredible. I love yogurt in the morning and will have to try this!
simple, sweet, beautiful. i love it.
My plum tree is going nuts, and despite my mastiff puppy’s best attempts to eat them all I think I’ll be able to salvage some of them. This might be just the motivation I’ve been needing to fend off the little (oh-so-cute) mongrel.
I like your Monday strategy. Sometimes you just need a win. And, let me tell you, these look like a win. Just the kinda confidence you need to face the week.
This looks like the best breakfast ever. Now if I could only drag my butt out of bed early enough to make it!
I can’t wait to read Note to Self: Part Four. I’m afraid of a lot of things, maybe we’ll have things in common :)
Your plums look beautiful just to let you know :)
Taut and tart! Love the vocabulary usage, Joy!
Fruit is my go to for everything! I totally eat my two and five the wrong way round. I have a quick question Joy, what is the staple dessert of California. Like if you could say ‘this pie/cake/cookie IS California’ what would that be?
Thanks so much!
<3 from Adelaide
how convenient! I just bought some black plums today. :) definitely gonna have to try this!
Wow! this looks awesome! Easy yet elegant! Thanks for sharing.
the angle of the first couple of photos is BEAUTIFUL. I love the dark counter with the bright napkin… plus, you’re right, who wouldn’t love something on vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce?
I haven’t had any roasted fruit this summer! Yikes! I’d better get busy, it’s almost Labor Day…
Strangely enough- I’ve roasted lots of peaches this summer but no plums! Good reminder of how great they are.
What a great recipe. These will make a perfect breakfast for the kids.
beautiful and yummy… always love your photo shoots- my eye is particularly caught by this one- any words on where you got the gorgeous piece of fabric under the bowl-on-a-saucer-with-the-perfect-roast-plum? thanks for always inspiring!
This sounds like an amazing way to eat plums! I just wish I’d known about it in June, when our cherry plums were dropping all over the backyard and I was scrambling to use them all up. :) Oh well–bookmarked for next year!
I found one random plum in my house and decided to try this! I usually don’t love thyme, but it totally makes this recipe shine. An awesome and easy addition to my greek yogurt. Thanks, Joy!
EVERYthing you’ve been posting lately looks ahmazing. Pretty soon my blog will just be “Heather cooks Joy the Baker’s recipes and exlaims how good they are”
I popped a plum in the oven last night when I was roasting a few other things for dinner. OH MY! It was fantastic! The skin melted in to some kind of jammy wonderfulness (totally a term) and the bit of thyme and salt kept it from being too sweet. Awesome recipe!!
I’ve been roasting the endless amount of plums i have too eating it with my oatmeal, yogurt and yes the occasional scoop of ice cream. Delicious summer!
Where did you get those placemats/napkins with all the colors and doves?!
Roasted plums + Greek yogurt = Perfect. Thanks, Joy!
Yes yes yes. Though I don’t have any of those darkly mysterious plums (just crunchy green and mellow yellow ones), I think this would be just the ticket.
Those do look, no fuss no muss. What a healthy breakfast.
Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
I love that kitchen towel/napkin! Where did you get that?
I absolutely love roasted fruit. It is so delicious!
This sounds awesome! What a great breakfast or dessert or snack.
Wow! This is so unique. Love the sweet + savory mix!
Must. Roast. Plums. Now!
I love your combinations of savory and sweet! it keeps everything fresh and new!
so looking forward to installment #4 of the notes to self! bring it on! :-)
I wonder if I have time to make this tonight. I don’t have yogurt, so I could probably wait (for that matter I only have the olive oil, sugar and salt) until Tuesday when I can get farmer’s market plums.
I never would have thought of roasting fruit with thyme! Love it!
I also love your notes to self. Awesome words of wisdom.
Make it a great week, Joy!
This looks like a wonderful way to start the day!
What a beautiful, simple meal. A perfect way to begin the week.
You are great and these sound great too!
Thanks for sharing!
now I’ll jump out of my house, get some plums and roast them! they look so good!
One of the great things about the end of summer are the stone fruits (and apples!). I love plums and this seems like the perfect way to start the day with. I’m always looking at roasted fruits like ‘oooh, those surely are super delicious’ but have never actually roasted them myself. kind of odd. have to change that.
Roasted fruit is so perfect for breakfast. I love the idea of balancing the flavour by adding thyme. Those plums look gorgeous.
roasting plums is a genius idea!
I love love love love your roasted fruits recipes. They’re simple, nutritious, delicious and versatile. All and all just perfect.
Where did you get that great napkin in the first photo with the birds?
Looks amazing. I found a gorgeous plum tree in my neighborhood today…might have to snag a few to make this. Perfect summer comfort food.
Love your note to self’s (selves?)….Love this idea to use plums…. :)
Joy, did you make the granola yourself or buy it? It looks superb. I’m always baffled in the granola isle at the store, never know which one to buy…
i think i bought this granola from the bulk bin at Whole foods… I might have added a bit of extra toasted coconut that I had laying around.
Nice! Thanks
Easy peasy, your a big teasy! Awesome finish for the plums. “Tart and Taught” reminds me of Goldfinger in Austin Powers Goldmember..
this looks simply delicious. especially because i’ve been eating greek yogurt + granola + blueberries in the morning and have been craving something new for breakfast.
and yes, please do share another note to self post. they’re some of my faves.
Roasted plums, oh yes. Even better than a straight up plum is a roasted one and with some yogurt dip.
Yum – will be making this tomorrow with the 8 plums on my counter staring out at me
The no futz recipe is rather timely for me, thank you! Tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow holds a place for these plums. You are a gem!
Perfect timing. I have a few quarts of fresh plums in the fridge right now. :)
yum! These look so delicious! What a perfect segue into fall!