POACHED GREENGAGES WITH GINGERED, TOFFEE CRUMBS AND CREAM

Greengage season is upon us, this is just another delicious way to celebrate them!

Serves 4-6

1kg firm, ripe greengages
125ml white wine
110g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
1 star anise
Crumbs
200g day old loaf of bread (sourdough works well) torn into small pieces
75g unsalted butter, roughly diced
200g caster or raw cane sugar
1 tsp ground ginger
Cream
Drop or two of vanilla extract
300ml cream, lightly whipped
2 Tbsp icing sugar

Method

Begin by poaching the greengages. To do this put the wine, sugar and star anise in a medium size pot. Bring to the boil to dissolve the sugar, reduce the heat to simmer and place the greengages into this syrup. Gently poach for 10 minutes or until tender. The skins will flake off a little and if you like you can peel them off when cool.

Meanwhile to make the crumbs preheat the oven to 180C.

Spread the torn bread crumbs over the base of a roasting dish in a single layer then dot with the butter. Bake the crumbs until they are deep golden in colour and crisp (20 minutes). Remove from the oven and spread over a large baking tray lined with baking paper.

Place the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan and slowly bring to a simmer. Cook over medium heat for 7-8 minutes (do not stir) or until you get a rich, caramel colour. Carefully pour over the crumbs, using a fork toss the crumbs over in the toffee to coat well. Sprinkle with a little ginger powder and cool. When cool, separate, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Whip the cream with vanilla and icing sugar until thickened.

To serve – place the poached greengages and a little syrup in a bowl, add a generous spoonful of cream and sprinkle with the toffee crumbs.