Pears...
They go from rocks to mush so quickly, that I find preserving them is the best way to enjoy them. This year I've poached them in syrup with star anise and cinnamon, which makes for an excellent instant dessert to serve unexpected guests and I've also made pear and ginger preserve, a little looser set than jam.
For the poached pears, simply combine a bottle of white wine with 400g of granulated sugar, star anise and cinnamon, heat until the sugar has dissolved and then put in the pears and poach for 30 mins, before bottling up in large sterilised jars.
Apples...
A simple open apple tart is so easy and quick - take sweet shortcrust pastry, line your tart tin, prick the base and line with parchment paper and baking beans. Bake blind for ten mins at 180 degrees, then cook for a further five to brown the base.
Thinly slice your apples and lay in concentric circles, before making a simple caramel with 50g of sugar and 50g of butter, which you then brush over the slices. Cook in a moderate over for 30 mins and serve with a warm custard or a slick of single cream.
I love everything about warm cider, it transports me immediately to my happy place, which is The End Of the Road festival. The Somerset Cider Bus is a tradition that makes me think of hanging with my very favourite people in the world, listening to my favourite music and soaking up everything that weekend has to offer. I can't recreate all those elements at home, but Bonfire Night does at least afford me an excuse for mulling some cider and getting cosy. Now I'm also a mother, I like to extend these little joyful experiences to the Small, but without the 4% alcohol by volume kicker. Here are two recipes for the drinking of Warm Apple Juice, whatever your age...
Mulled Cider
500ml of a good quality cider, 1 Tbsp dark muscovado sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 star anise. Warm all the ingredients together in a heavy bottom saucepan until the sugar is all incorporated, making sure you don't boil away the alcohol. Pour into your favourite tin mug and add sliced apple.
Mulled Apple & Blackberry
300ml of apple juice, 1 tsp dark muscovado sugar, 100ml water, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 star anise, 2 Tbsp of blackberry cordial. As above, but be sure to add water as the sweetness of the sugar, juice and cordial can all be too much - you want the flavours without the intensity. Be extra careful to let it cool sufficiently before serving...