Nectarine syllabub

Ingredients

100g/3½oz caster sugar
50ml/2fl oz water
3 nectarines, peeled, stones removed and chopped
½ a ready-made Madeira cake, sliced
75ml/3fl oz sweet dessert wine
100g/3½oz mascarpone cheese
60g/2oz icing sugar, sieved
225ml/8fl oz double cream, whipped until stiff peaks form when the whisk is removed
1 nectarine, skin left on, stone removed, chopped

Method

1. Heat the caster sugar and water in a pan for 4-5 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved and the liquid forms a syrup.
2. Transfer to a food processor and allow to cool slightly.
3. Add the chopped peeled nectarines, then blend to a puree. Allow to cool.
4. Place 1-2 slices of Madeira cake into the bottom of each of four serving dishes or bowls and drizzle some of the wine over each. You should use about half of the wine.
5. Place the mascarpone, icing sugar, the remaining wine and whipped cream into a clean bowl and fold together until smooth.
6. Add the nectarine puree and gently stir through the mascarpone mixture to create a marbled effect.
7. Add two thirds of the pieces of unpeeled nectarine and fold through the mixture.
8. To serve, spoon the mixture over the wine-soaked sponge in each bowl and top with a few pieces of the remaining nectarine.