Desserts Recipes - Clementines in Spiced Syrup Recipe

Ingredients

• 350ml/12fl oz/1 1/2 cups sweet dessert wine

• 75g/3oz/6 tbsp caster (superfine) sugar

• 6 star anise

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1 vanilla pod (bean)

• 30ml/2 tbsp Cointreau or another orange liqueur (see Variations)

• 1 strip of thinly pared lime rind

• 12 clementines

Serves 6

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Method:

1. Put the wine, sugar, star anise and cinnamon in a large pan. Split the vanilla pod and add it to the pan with the lime rind.

2. Bring to the boil, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure that all the sugar is dissolved.

3. Pour the spiced vanilla syrup into a bowl and set aside to cool. When it is completely cold, stir in the Cointreau.

4. Peel the clementines. Leave some clementines whole and cut the rest in half Arrange them in a shallow dish. Pour over the spicy syrup and chill overnight.

5. Serve chilled, spooning the clementines into a glass serving bowl, or six individual dessert dishes.

The unusual fruit of a small evergreen tree, harvested just before ripening, star anise is a useful spice. Not only does it add a delicate flavor, but it also makes an attractive decoration, especially with citrus fruits.

Variations: Tangerines or oranges can be used instead of clementines, if you prefer. As an alternative to the Cointreau, you can use Grand Marnier or Mandarine Napoleon. The latter is made by blending a distillate of fresh tangerine peels with cognac.