The Sweet Smell Of Lingering Coals

At the end of a barbecue when the coals are nice and hot you can cook some delicious, easy, fruity desserts. By wrapping fruit in foil adding sugar, spices and a dash of your favourite liquer you can transform a simple fruit into a melting delight. To grill fruit, cut into chunks, place on skewers and add some brown sugar to caramelise in the heat. Finish with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or crème fraiche. I can guarantee the intoxicating aroma will even entice those who couldn’t eat another bite to not be able to resist. Here are two of my favourites.

Pineapple wedges with rum butter glaze

Barbecuing the pineapple brings out the flavour, serve with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or crème fraiche to make a special end to a meal.

Ingredients Serves 4

1 fresh pineapple
2 tbsp dark muscodavo sugar
1 tsp ground ginger
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp dark rum

Cut the pineapple into four wedges. Cut out the core.
Cut between the flesh and skin keeping the the flesh in place. Slice across to make thick chunks.
Soak 4 bamboo skewers for 15 mins to prevent them burning. Push a skewer through into the stalk to hold the chunks in place
Melt together the sugar, ginger, butter and rum and generously brush over the pineapple. Cook the wedges on the barbecue for approx 5 to 6 mins. Pour the remaining glaze over and serve.

Baked bananas with spicy vanilla filling

Ingredients - Serves 4.

4 bananas
6 green cardamom pods
1 vanilla pod finely grated
rind of 1 small orange
2tbsp brandy or orange juice
4tbsp light muscodavo sugar
3 tbsp butter

Place the bananas on a hot bbq in their skins for approx 6 to 8 mins turning until they have turned brownish, black.
Meanwhile split the cardamom and remove the seeds. Crush in a pestle and mortar.
Split the vanilla pod lengthways and scrape out the seeds. Mix with the cardamom seeds, orange rind, brandy or juice, sugar and butter to make a thick paste.
Using a sharp knife slit the skin of each banana, open out the skin and spoon in a little of the paste. Serve with ice cream or crème fraiche.