Derry Clarke’s Delicious Dinner Party Dessert: Glazed Apple and Blackberry Parfait

Glazed apple and blackberries with blackberry parfait

“There’s nothing more satisfying than picking your own blackberries, which are now found on every hedgerow in Ireland,” says Derry.
Serves 4

YOU WILL NEED * 2 apples peeled, cored and quartered * juice of 1 lemon and rind * 4 cloves * 4 vanilla pods * 150g butter * 200g brown sugar * 4 pieces of star anise * 100ml freshly pressed apple juice * 1 punnet of blackberries For the blackberry parfait * 6 egg yolks * 175g caster sugar * 570ml cream, semi-whipped * 1 punnet of blackberries * 50ml water For the puff pastry 1 packet sheet of puff pastry * icing sugar, for dusting

METHOD 1 For the glazed apples, heat a shallow pot over a medium heat (Mark 9), and add the butter, sugar, lemon juice and rind. Then add the apples and 100g brown sugar with the clove, star anise, pods and apple juice. Reduce until the apples are tender. 2 To make the blackberry pur?e, heat a sauce pot over medium heat (Mark 9), add – a punnet of blackberries and 100g brown sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes. Strain and keep the juice. Pur?e the berries till smooth (the juice is great in cocktails). 3 Now make the parfait. Place the egg yolk in a mixing bowl and start on full speed. Put the sugar in a sauce pot with the water over high heat (Mark P), and boil till you have a clear caramel (just before it starts to turn brown). Slowly and carefully pour over the egg yolks while the mixer is on full speed. Add the punnet of berries and mix for 3-4 minutes, pour into a plastic container, cover and place in the freezer until set. 4 Cook the puff pastry sheet as per the instructions on the packet. Dust with icing sugar. Break the pastry into smallish pieces. 5 To serve, place the apples on a plate. Dress with the clove, star anise and vanilla pod. Cut the remaining (? punnet) of blackberries in half and dot them around the apples. Add a scoop of parfait. Garnish with the puff pastry and blackberry pur?e. Note: Meringue may be used instead of pastry with great success. This would also be lovely layered into a nice glass.

Appliance tip?To make your caramel, press the power-boost P function on your Virtual?Flame Hob to bring the sugar to the boil even quicker.

Remember, this is just dessert! Pick up the September-October issue of Image Interiors & Living for Derry’s sumptuous starter and main recipes plus entertaining?tips and clever clean-up hints.