MUSCOVADO HEAVEN WITH SPICED KUMQUATS

THIS is a variation of the Muscovado Heaven recipe I thought I’d invented. But then I saw Nigella had an almost identical recipe called Barbados Dream. Ah, well!

SERVES 4 ● 10 kumquats ● 115g granulated sugar ● Small stick of cinnamon ● 1 star anise ● 200ml plain yoghurt ● 200ml double cream ● About 2 tbsp dark muscovado sugar CUT the kumquats in half and put them in a small pan with the granulated sugar, cinnamon and star anise. Cover with water and simmer slowly until the fruit is soft. Then boil until the liquid is reduced to a thick, very tacky syrup. Remove the spices. Cool. Divide half the soft kumquats between four glasses. Mix together the yoghurt and cream and whisk until it will just hold its shape. Carefully spoon into the glasses, taking care not to mess up the sides. Then top with the remaining kumquats. With your fingers (to get an even layer) sprinkle muscovado sugar all over the top to cover completely but thinly. Refrigerate for an hour or two, when the dark sugar will have melted and begun to run down the inside of the glasses!