Sticky Spiced Roasted Plums

Preparation time: 20-30 minutes | Serves: 2-4 people

Stone fruit season is my favourite time of the year, mostly because stone fruits = summer. There’s truly nothing like the joy of biting into a juicy peach or plum. This quick balsamic roasted plums recipe is perfect for when the temperatures start to shift and you crave something warm and spiced while still showcasing the best seasonal stone fruits.

Why you should make this recipe -
First of all, it’s delicious – the flavour of the plums intensify when roasted with spices. Second, the recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect when you want something special without the fuss. Third, it uses minimal ingredients, relying on the natural sugars from the plums for sweetness and balsamic vinegar for balance.

While I've recommended serving these sticky roast plums with cream or vanilla ice cream (seriously divine!), they're also a great breakfast topping for yoghurt, oatmeal or pancakes. Check out my serving suggestions in the recipe notes below.

Ingredients

• 8-10 plums (I prefer blood plums)

• 1 large cinnamon stick

• 2-3 star anise

• 1 tbsp. Pukara Estate aged balsamic vinegar

• Splash of water

• Vanilla ice cream or dollop cream, to serve

Method

1. Preheat oven to 150°C and brush a baking tin (large enough to fit the plums) lightly with oil.

2. Cut the plums in half and discard the pit.

3. Place them skin side up in the baking tray, add the spices, water and balsamic vinegar. Swirl the tin so the vinegar and water coat the plums.

4. Roast for about 20-30 minutes until plums are soft, but have a little resistance. Add a touch more water if they’re too dry - you should be left with a syrupy, sticky layer down the bottom.

5. Discard the spices and serve warm, spooned over vanilla ice cream or dollop cream.

RECIPE NOTES

Swaps, Serves & Storage

1. Can I use any other fruits for this recipe?
   You can use strawberries or cherries instead of plums for this recipe.

2. Can I make this recipe vegan?
   The roast plums are completely vegan! Serve with vegan ice cream or cream for a plant based version.

3. How long can I store the roast plums?
   You can store these plums in an air tight container for up to a week. Reheat before serving.

4. What else can I serve these plums with?
   While ice cream and cream might be the dessert version, you can also eat these spiced plums with my vegan oatmeal, pancakes, smooth cottage cheese, ricotta or over thick Greek yoghurt for a healthy and tasty dessert.

Tips & Tricks

1. Underripe plums - Rips plums will soften waay too soon while baking, and the spices won’t infuse as well. I would recommend using underripe plums for the best results.

2. Spices - I like using whole spices for this recipe, but feel free to use 2 tsps. of ground cinnamon instead. Make sure your spices are fresh for the best results and discard after roasting.

3. Balsamic vinegar - The balsamic vinegar in the recipe helps balance the sweetness of the plums perfectly. It really shines through, so use the good stuff if you have it (I love using a barrel aged balsamic vinegar from Pukara Estate).