Poached Peaches and Apricots in Persian Syrup

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup caster sugar

• 1 1/2 cup white wine

• 1 tsp orange essence

• 1/2 tsp vanilla paste

• 5 cardamom pods, crushed

• 2 tsp orange blossom water

• 1 3/4 cups water

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 8 peaches or apricots or a mixture of both

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients except the fruit in a medium size saucepan and bring to the boil

2. Add the fruit and cook for 10 minutes, turning them over half way through

3. Watch them carefully as you don’t want to overcook them and cooking time will vary depending on how ripe they are.

4. Take the fruit out and continue to simmer the syrup till it’s at least halved in volume.

5. Leave it to cool, then store in the fridge with the fruit

6. Serve the fruit and syrup cold with vegan ice-cream or coconut yogurt.