At StarChefs.com ICC 2011, we distilled apple cider using the Rotary Vacuum Evaporator. While we were hoping to use the distillate to add a hint of apple to a recipe, we looked over at the other flask and realized what we had done. We had created an absolutely pure and rich apple butter. It spread like warm caramel and felt like someone punched you in the tastebuds with an apple tree. The reduction has fast become a fall favorite around PolyScience. As far as the apple distillate, well, that goes into the ice tray and plays a tasty role in several fall cocktails.

From left: Apple Cider, Cider Distillate, Apple Butter

Equipment required:
PolyScience Rotary Vacuum Evaporator with 3L Evaporating Flask

Ingredients:
1 liter Apple Cider

Step 1:
Clean and sanitize all glassware. Air dry thoroughly.

Step 2:
Carefully funnel 1 liter of apple cider into 3L evaporator flask and clamp to the vapor tube of the Rotary Vacuum Evaporator.

Step 3:
With the water bath at 45°C, and the condenser temperature starting at -10°C, apply full vacuum and rotation of 160 RPM.

Distill until evaporating flask has reduced apple cider to a honey-like consistency, approximately two hours.

DO NOT LET BOIL OVER. “Bumping” will contaminate your glassware and receiving volume. This will require you to start the entire process over.

Step 4: 
Remove clamp and receiving flask. Transfer distilled apple cider to a clean vessel or vacuum seal. Distillate can be refrigerated for 2 weeks or frozen up to one year. Use as an addition to cocktails or poaching liquid. Can also be frozen in cubes to add an apple perfume to mixed drinks. The distillate will have no sweetness, as all sugars stay in the concentrate.

Step 5:
Remove and carefully transfer concentrated apple cider, now apple butter, to a clean vessel or vacuum seal. Apple butter can be refrigerated for 6 weeks or frozen up to one year.

Smoked butter has always been one of our favorite things to produce with the PolyScience Smoking Gun™, but now we’re taking it to the next level.

Serves 2-3

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 60 minutes

Ingredients
1/2 Cup of Smoked Butter (Recipe)
1 lb Fingerling Potatoes
2 Sprigs of Fresh Marjoram, leaves removed
Kosher Salt, to taste
Coarse Ground Black Pepper, to taste

The Smoking Gun Pro Wood Chips

For more information on food safety, please click here.

Step 1:
Prepare smoked butter with PolyScience Smoking Gun. (Recipe)

Step 2:
Set the Sous Vide Professsional™ to 194°F/90°C, with the rear port closed and front port fully open.

Step 3:
Slice fingerling potatoes in half and vacuum seal with smoked butter.

Step 4:
Place sealed vacuum bag in circulating water bath and cook at 194°F/90°C  for 60 minutes.

Step 5:
Carefully open vacuum bag and drain potatoes into a colander, set inside a bowl. Let potatoes drain very well. Reserve butter for next step.

Step 6:
Using a hot sauté pan, lightly sear the potatoes in a small amount of the reserved smoked butter. Once golden, add remaining butter, fresh marjoram leaves and season with salt and pepper. Gently toss and serve.