BAKED QUINCE WITH BAY AND MAPLE

Serves 1-2

1 quince, halved and core removed

100ml maple syrup

1 star anise

Fresh bayleaf

½ cup water

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C

When preparing quince you need to work quickly as they discolour almost instantly.  Place the quince halves flesh side up in a snug oven dish.  Pour over the maple syrup, add the star anise and bayleaf to the oven dish and add the water.  Cover with tin foil and place into the oven.

Bake for 30 minutes and then check by carefully inserting a skewer into the flesh if its tender all the way through then it is cooked if not then continue cooking for another 10-20 minutes or until tender.  If you notice that the liquid has reduced, add a little more water so that it doesn’t burn.

When they are tender and aromatic and the sauce has turned into a golden glaze serve warm as a pudding with pouring cream or good quality vanilla icecream.

I love to serve them cold with a good quality blue cheese and some oat cakes!

(They also go particularly well with pork and duck!)