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    Baked nectarines

    Serves: 6 - 8
    Cooking Time: 20 mins

    Ingredients

    • 9 ripe nectarines, halved and stoned
    • 120g light brown sugar
    • 250ml (1 cup) water
    • 2 cinnamon sticks
    • 2 star anise seeds
    • 1 vanilla pod
    • 80ml (1/3 cup) muscadel
    • 5ml (1 tsp) ground cinnamon
    • 15ml (1 tbsp) dark brown sugar
    • vanilla ice cream, to serve
    • a sprig of rose geranium or fresh mint, to garnish

    Instructions

    1

    Preheat the oven to 180°C.

    2

    Place the nectarines skin-side down in a roasting tin.

    3

    Heat the light brown sugar and water in a saucepan over a low heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise seeds, vanilla pod and muscadel. Simmer to infuse the flavours, about 10 minutes.

    4

    Sprinkle the ground cinnamon and dark brown sugar over the nectarines, drizzle with a little of the sauce and bake for 10 – 15 minutes.

    5

    Heat the grill and place the nectarines under the grill to brown slightly for a couple of minutes.

    6

    Serve hot with ice cream and the remaining sauce. Garnish with rose geranium or mint.

    Notes

    To drink: Go for a chilled, dry cider like Savannah.