Flaming cherries jubilee...

Impress your friends

Need a quick and easy dessert that will create a stir, then this easy cherry compote fits the bill, add a splash of Cointreau or brandy at the end, warm through then light with a long match, stand well back and wait for the applause.

Serves 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 13 minutes

You will need...


1 lemon, pare rind from lemon with a vegetable peeler and squeeze juice

200 ml (7 fl oz) water, plus little extra

75 g (3 oz) caster sugar

400 g (14 oz) British cherries, stalks and stones removed

4 tablespoons Cointreau or brandy

Scoops vanilla ice cream to serve

Method

Add the lemon rind, juice, water and sugar to a small frying pan and simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time until the sugar has completely dissolved. Boil for 3 minutes until syrupy.


Add the cherries and cook over a low heat for 5 minutes until they are softened and the juices have coloured the syrup. Lift out and discard the lemon rind.


Add the liqueur or brandy and bring just to the boil, flame with a lit match (use extra long ones so you don’t burn fingers) making sure to stand well back then take to the table. When the flames subside spoon into dishes and serve with scoops of ice cream.

Tip: Look out for a cherry stoner when you are next shopping, this handy gadget makes light work of pressing out the cherry stones, it is about the size and price of a garlic press, but once you have one, you will wonder how you ever managed without it!

Guest Post Credits-  Seasonal Berries