Plums in Red Wine with Chocolate

Ingredients

• 12 pc small red plums
• 250 gm sugar
• 1/2 lt water
• 1/2 lt red wine
• 2 pc cloves
• 1 pc star anise
• 1 pc cinnamon stick
• 1 pc bay leaf
• 1/2 pc nutmeg
• 100 g chocolate

Method

Place the sugar, water, wine and all the spices in a large pan and stir to a boil over a medium heat.

Allow to simmer to infuse the flavours and until a light syrup consistency is achieved

Add the plums and simmer until tender.

Remove from the heat and finely grate in chocolate to taste, stir to melt through.

Transfer to a clean serving bowl and allow the plums to cool slightly in the stock syrup.

Serve warm with roast meats or place in a refrigerator to chill if serving as a dessert with whipped cream.

Keith Stewart’s drink recommendation

Glasses of the best Appleton rum you can afford, served as if it were cognac. Or, if you can afford it, or find it some very good slivovitzé (plum brandy).