Quince, Rosemary and Honey Trifle

Serves 8
3 HR

I prefer my trifle not straight from the fridge as the flavour and texture improve when it is not so cold. I therefore make all the elements up then assemble it just prior to serving.

Dessert
Marcus Everyday

Ingredients

Serves 8

For the trifle

  • 250g honey
  • 1 sprig of rosemary
  • 2 large quince, peeled, quartered and cored (550g)
  • 3 gelatine leaves
  • 200g Madeira cake, diced into 2cm cubes
  • 25ml dry sherry

For the custard

  • 150ml milk
  • 150ml double cream
  • 3 sprigs of rosemary
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 50g caster sugar
  • 2 gelatine leaves

For the cream

  • 150g double cream
  • 100g crème fraîche
  • finely grated zest of 1 clementine

Method

For the trifle

Place the honey and rosemary in a medium saucepan. Add750ml warm water, bring to the boil then reduce to a gentle simmer and add the quince. Cover and simmer for 1½ hours, until the quince are soft.

Strain the quince over a heatproof bowl and pour the liquid back into the saucepan. Return to the heat and simmer for a further 10–15 minutes. Pour the liquid from the saucepan into a measuring jug – you want 400ml. Return this to the pan, setting the rest aside.

When the quince are cool enough to touch, cut them into 2cm dice and refrigerate.

Soak the 3 gelatine leaves in a shallow bowl of cold water for 5 minutes.

Bring the 400ml of syrup to the boil. Squeeze the water from the gelatine and stir it into the hot liquid until completely dissolved. Strain into a clean, small heatproof container and refrigerate for 1–3 hours until set.

For the custard

Put the milk, cream and rosemary sprigs in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer then remove from the heat. Cover with clingfilm and leave to infuse for 20 minutes. Strain, discarding the rosemary, and pour the infused milk back into the saucepan. Bring back to just below the boil, stirring frequently.

Put the egg yolks and sugar in a mixing bowl and whisk together. Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the bowl, whisking as you do so.

Pour the mixture back into the pan and cook over very low heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon. While the custard is cooking, soak the 2 leaves of gelatine in a shallow bowl of cold water for 5 minutes.

Squeeze the water from the gelatine and stir it into the hot custard until completely dissolved. Strain through a sieve, cover and chill in the fridge.

For the cream

Whisk the cream, crème fraîche and clementine zest together in a bowl until stiff peaks form.

To assemble

Place the quince, diced sponge and sherry in your trifle bowl along with 200ml of the reserved quince syrup (any leftovers make a great addition to a champagne cocktail or gin and tonic, by the way). Cut the quince jelly into cubes and add it to the bowl. Mix very gently. Whisk the custard then pour it on top. Finish with the cream and serve straight away or refrigerate for up to 4 hours before serving.

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