Poached Apples With Spiced Syrup

Ingredients

• 6 or 8 apples
• 1 pint water
• 40 lumps sugar
• a few cloves
• jam or custard for serving

Method

1. 1 Dissolve the sugar in the water.
2. 2 Peel and core the apples without cutting them, then place them in the syrup with the cloves.
3. 3 Stew very gently for about 10 minutes, then turn the apples and simmer for another 10 minutes until tender but not broken.
4. 4 Place the apples in a dish and fill the hollow center with jam or custard.
5. 5 Boil the syrup uncovered for a few minutes to reduce, then strain it over the apples and allow to cool before serving.