Ingredients (Serves 4)

500 g/1lb 2 oz packet mixed dried fruit

450 ml ¾ pint apple juice

I tbsp clear honey

2 tbsp brandy

1 lemon

1 orange

To decorate

Fresh Cream or plain yoghurt

Fine strips of pared orange rind

1. Place the fruits, apple juice, clear honey and brandy in a small saucepan.

2. Using a small, sharp knife or a zester, carefully remove the zest from the lemon and orange and place in the pan.

3. Squeeze the juice from the lemon and oranges and add to the pan.

4. Bring the fruit mixture to the boil and simmer for about one minute. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.

5. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, cover with clingfilm and chill in the refrigerator ovenight to allow the flavours to blend.

6. Spoon the stewed fruit in four shallow desert dishes. Decorate with a large spoonful of cream (or if you're feeling virtuous, natural yoghurt) and a few strips of the pared orange rind and serve.

Tasty Tip

Why not plump for a Moroccan feel with this dish by choosing dried fruit with a selection of figs, apricots and prunes? Add one teaspoon of whole cloves, a generous grating of fresh nutmeg and fresh root ginger and two cinnamon sticks to the fruit in step 1.

Serve with fresh cream (or indeed tinned) and sprinkle over a few chopped walnuts.