Some of the most delicious recipes find their strength in simplicity. I love this easy recipe using damsons. It’s so delicious over everything from porridge to granola and even added to a bit of greek yoghurt as a snack. It’s also delicious served with cheeses as a chutney style jam. Despite tasting quite tart and acidic, damsons are actually high in natural sugars making them perfect for this recipe.
What you need:
1 kg of damson plums (with pits left in)
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 cup of water
1 cinnamon stick
1 vanilla bean (split sideways)
Method:
- Combine water, sugar, cinnamon stick and vanilla pod and stir until the sauce becomes slightly syrupy.
- Add the plums and bring to boil the immediately reducing heat. I like to leave the pits in as it gives an extra, almost almond like flavour to the compote. Simmer for about 10 minutes on a low heat until the plums start to tenderise and the sauce thickens into a jamlike consistency.
- Remove the pits from the compote and enjoy.
Serve over granola, porridge for breakfast or if you prefer to enjoy it with dessert serve with Vanilla ice cream or even better impress your guests by serving it with a selection of cheeses and a PX Sherry or even a sweet moscato from Piedmonte. Delicious.
5 of my favourite trees to grow for delicious Fruit:
Prunus domestica ‘Victoria’
This small tree which grows to 2.5-4m in height (depending upon the rootstock) is the most popular tree to grow for a variety of reasons. First of all it is self fertilising meaning you only need one tree asking it a great tree for the smaller or urban plot. It also has a great crop of fruit with a yellow green flesh and an orange to deep red colour on the outside.
Prunus domestica ‘Czar’
This tree is a compact, self fertilising tree which flowers in early Spring and can get from 2.5-4metres tall depending on rootstock. The fruits are a very deep but in August and when picked young are fantastic for making cakes and jams. When left to ripen on the tree these turn near black in colour and are lovely and sweet.
Prunus domestica ‘Opal’
The Opal is a more vigorous variety that has has early purple fruits with a great flavour. It is also self-fertile and very easy to manage. This tree has lovely showy flowers which wildlife is very drawn to and often have a lovely Autumn colour too.
Prunus domestica ‘Damson’
This European plum tree bears deep purple fruits that are smaller than most plums but incredibly delicious for making cakes. Eaten straight off the tree they can be a little too tart to enjoy but in cakes, jams or jellies their flavour fully unfolds.
Prunus ‘Mirabelle de Nancy’
I absolutely love this sub species of the Plum tree. The fruit are small oval yellow plums which have a smooth textured flesh. The flavour is phenomenal and delicious to eat straight off the tree. They are also great for making jam and plum pies and can be used for making wine and brandy.
