ALMOND AND APPLE PUDDING WITH COCONUT SAUCE

Malva pudding, that perennial SA favourite, was the inspiration for this delicious, wheatfree pudding that’s sweetened with honey.

MAKES 10-12 SMALL PUDDINGS PREPARATION: 20 MIN COOKING: 10-15 MIN (APPLES); 40 MIN (SAUCE) BAKING: 25 MIN

SAUCE 250ml (1c) coconut milk or coconut cream 45ml (3T) raw honey 80ml (¹⁄₃c) water grated zest of 1 lemon 3cm fresh ginger, peeled 1 each cinnamon stick and star anise PUDDING 400g apples, cored, peeled and chopped juice and zest of 2 oranges 100g whole almonds 125ml (½c) ground desiccated coconut 5ml (1t) bicarbonate of soda pinch of salt 5ml (1t) psyllium husk 45ml (3T) raw honey 2 eggs 30ml (2T) butter or olive oil 125ml (½c) coconut milk 15ml (1T) unrefined apple cider vinegar

TO SERVE edible flowers and fresh fruit (optional)

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease 12 hollows of a silicone muffin mould well with nonstick spray and put it on a baking sheet. 1 Sauce Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 40 minutes or until the sauce is fragrant and slightly thickened. 2 Pudding Put the apples,

orange zest and juice in a saucepan or pot and cook until the apples are soft but not mushy. 3 Use a food processor to finely chop the almonds and desiccated coconut – it should form a coarse flour. Transfer it to a bowl, then add the bicarbonate

of soda, salt and psyllium husk. 4 In a separate bowl, whisk the honey and eggs together until light and creamy. 5 Heat the butter or oil in a saucepan, then add the coconut milk and vinegar. Stir.

6 Mix the coconut milk mixture with the flour mixture, then take turns to fold the egg mixture and apple mixture into the coconut milk and flour mixture. Mix well. 7 Transfer to the prepared muffin mould and bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown and done. Leave to cool slightly, then transfer to a plate. 8 Prick holes in the lukewarm puddings and pour some of the sauce over. Leave to absorb. 9 To serve Garnish with edible flowers and fresh fruit (if using) and serve with the rest of the sauce. S