Spiced Oven Poached Plums with Orange, Star Anise and Cinnamon

Serves	6 to 8
Prep time	20 minutes
Cook time	30 minutes
Total time	50 minutes
Dietary	Vegetarian
Meal type	Dessert, Snack
Misc	Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold, Serve Hot
Occasion	Casual Party, Christmas, Formal Party, Halloween, Thanksgiving
Region	British
By author	Karen S Burns-Booth

A beautifully fragrant and gently spiced plum dish where the plums are "oven poached" with star anise and cinnamon in an orange and wine jus; these plums are perfect served warm with cream or crème fraîche and the recipe also makes a great filling for pies or crumbles. (This flavour combination is based in a spiced plum jam and chutney that I make)

Ingredients

900g plums, such as Victoria, Mirabelle or Czar
Juice and zest of 2 organges
3 tablespoons white wine
3 star anise
3 cinnamon sticks
50g Demerera sugar

Note

Directions

Step 1	Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F/Gas mark 5.
Step 2	Cut the plums in half and take the stone out. Arrange the plums in a large baking or roasting dish in a single layer of possible.
Step 3	Pour the orange juice and wine over the top of the plums and then add the orange zest - turn the plums over and around to coat them in the juice and zest.
Step 4	Tuck the star anise and cinnamon sticks amongst the plums and then sprinkle the sugar over the top of the plums.
Step 5	Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the fruit is soft but has not collapsed too much.
Step 6	Serve warm or cold with crème fraîche, double cream ice cream.
Step 7	Can be used as a filling for crumbles or pies.