Wine Poached Apple & Hazelnut Trifle Recipe

Ingredients

For the wine poached apples

• 1kg apples, cut into eighths and cored
• 1 lemon - sliced
• 1 bottle white wine
• ¾ cup golden sugar
• 2 star anise
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 knobs of butter
• 1 store bought trifle sponge

For the hazelnut cream

• 1 tub (250g) Ricotta cheese
• 1 cup cream
• 3 tbsp Multifloral Honey
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup hazelnuts, toasted and chopped
• Extra toasted hazelnuts to garnish

Method

1. In a heavy bottomed pot, place apples, cinnamon sticks, star anise, sugar, honey and lemon. Pour wine and cover. Cook gently for 20-30 minutes until apples are soft. Strain the apples. Reserve the poaching liquid. 
2. Caramelise a few apple pieces for the topping - fry in a little butter and honey until golden and caramelised. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl beat ricotta, cream, honey and vanilla with an electric mixer until thick. Stir in ½ the hazelnuts. Cover and chill until ready to assemble trifle.
4. In a trifle bowl, or individual glasses, line a single layer of sponge, drizzle with poaching liquid. Then add a single layer of poached apples. Spoon over hazelnut cream. Repeat to your desired layers.
5. Decorate with the caramelised apples and some extra toasted hazelnuts, cinnamon sticks and star anise.
6. Refrigerate until serving.