As winter draws in and the nights get longer and darker, sticky comforting puddings get all the more enticing. Yet many of the winter classics deliver a hefty helping of empty calories. So, what's the alternative for a healthy warming pudding?
Think seasonally - juicy apples and pears are the ideal choice at this time of year. Bathe the fruit in a sticky aromatic syrup and they are transformed into a luxurious treat. Macadamias blended into a smooth cream, flavoured with a hint of vanilla provide a cool creamy contrast to the hot sticky spiced fruit and the crunch from the toasted nuts adds the finishing touch.
Incidentally, this is also delicious, hot or cold, for breakfast too!
Spiced Apples & Pears with Macadamia Cream
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 Apples
2 Pears
Syrup
¾ Tsp Ground Cinnamon
¼ Tsp Freshly Grated Ground Nutmeg
3 Whole Cloves
25g Pear & Apple Spread
¼ Lemon, juice & zest
150ml Apple Juice
Macadamia Cream
75g Macadamia Nuts, ideally soaked overnight in water, drain well before use
¼ Lemon, juice & zest
75ml Apple Juice
1 Tsp Vanilla Bean Paste
To Serve
6-8 Macadamia Nuts, chopped & lightly toasted
First of all make the syrup by combining the spices, lemon juice and zest, pear and apple spread and apple juice in a pan. Bring up to the boil and simmer for a few minutes until syrupy.
Pre heat the oven to 220℃/Fan 200℃.
Cut the pears and apples into quarters and remove the cores, then cut each quarter into thick slices lengthways. Place on a baking tray lined with non stick parchment and pour over the spiced syrup making sure that all the slices are well covered. Cook for about 10-15 minutes or until the slices are just cooked through.
Meanwhile make the macadamia cream by blending together the macadamia nuts, lemon juice and zest and apple juice until very smooth and creamy. Stir in the vanilla bean paste.
Divide the apple and pears slices between the serving plates, top with a spoonful of the macadamia cream and scatter with the chopped, toasted macadamia nuts.
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