Winter fruit salad

The best recipe for this is by the Stour Puddings wise woman, Jo. This is a modification of her recipe for a fruit salad delicious in winter, but equally good chilled in summer.  Jo's recipe is darker and richer, containing figs and a whole lemon.    It is a firm favourite at Stour. It contains walnuts but they are not essential.  Gluten and dairy free, also suitable for diabetics if they don't have too much of the juice!

Winter Fruit Salad

Winter Fruit Salad

1 bag dried fruit mix - a mixture of dried apple rings, prunes, apricots, peaches and pears, approx 500g (I hate figs, so don't include them!)

1 jar runny honey (or set honey, microwaved until liquid)
Good handful walnuts
1-2 Star anise
2 Cinnamon sticks
Lemon peel 1-2 strips

Separate the prunes out from the darker fruit (this keeps the colours better) and simmer all the fruit just covered in water in two pans (or microwave) until soft. Add 3/4 to 1 jar honey to the fruit, depending on how sweet and sticky you like it, and pour the prunes back into the salad. Add the other ingredients and check liquid levels - it will absorb more after it has cooled. Cover with a plate and allow to cool.

This is better eaten after 24 hours, and even better after a few days. The honey acts as a preservative so it shouldn't need refrigeration. It is good with Greek yoghurt and a granola topping, also on this blog.