POACHED APPLES

INGREDIENTS

• 8 organic apples, peeled, halved

• 1 1/2 cups red wine

• 3/4 cup raw sugar

• 1 orange, zest and juice

• 1 vanilla bean, split

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 2 star anise

• 1 teaspoon cloves

• 2 cups water

• 1cm ginger (optional)

METHOD

1. Combine wine, sugar, orange juice, orange peel, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, ginger and 2 cups water in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved.

2. While heating add apples to the wine mixture; reduce the heat to low until soft, about 25 mins.Transfer the apples to a plate and set aside.

3. Strain poaching liquid from the pan into a small saucepan, discarding solids in strainer. Set saucepan over medium-high heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until poaching liquid becomes syrupy and is reduced to about 3/4 cup, this take about 15-20 minutes. The syrup will thicken as it cools.

4. Pour over apples and serve with chant illy cream.