Orange and passion fruit spiced salad

Citrus fruit contains electrolytes, such as potassium, which are said to improve mood.

SERVES 4 PREPARATION TIME

20 minutes, plus chilling COOKING TIME

10 minutes

75g unrefined caster sugar

2 star anise

1 cinnamon stick

3 cloves

4 cardamom pods, lightly bruised

Pulp and seeds from 8 passion fruits

6 large oranges Seeds from 1/4 pomegranate, to garnish

50g pistachio nuts, very finely chopped, to garnish

Yogurt, to serve, optional

1 Put the sugar in a small pan with 6tbsp water along with the star anise, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. Bring to the boil and heat rapidly for 5-6min. Add the passion fruit pulp and seeds and stir well to mix.

2 Meanwhile, using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler, thinly pare the zest of 1 orange, being careful not to remove the white pith. Slice the peeled zest into thin strips. Put the strips in a small pan, just cover with boiling water and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and add the orange zest and the water to the spiced syrup mixture. Bring back to the boil. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.

3 Slice off the top and bottom from each orange so it can sit flat. Carefully slice away the peel and pith. Cut each orange into slices horizontally. Arrange on a serving plate and spoon over the spiced syrup. Chill, covered, for 3-4hr (or overnight if time permits). Garnish with the pomegranate seeds and chopped pistachio nuts and serve with the yogurt, if you like.

‘THIS REFRESHING PUDDING IS SURE TO LIFT YOUR SPIRITS’