Warm Almond Peaches with Honey

Many people mistakenly think that following a healthy way of eating will mean giving up things they enjoy, like a tasty pudding. However this couldn't be further from the truth - particularly if the pudding is based on the natural goodness of fruit. Fruit is a perfect pudding base and is naturally sweet and low in fat. Nutritionally, it is also a very good choice, providing vitamin C and beta-carotene. Ricotta cheese is a good low-fat choice, with its creamy consistency making it a good alternative to cream in desserts.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

2 peaches cut into halves (canned in natural juice, or 2 fresh peaches if available)
50g (2oz) ricotta cheese
10 small amaretti biscuits, lightly crushed
4 tps clear honey
zest (finely grated) and juice of 1 lemon

Method

1) Preheat the oven to 180oC/350oF/gas mark 4. Line an ovenproof dish with non-stick baking parchment.
2) Place the 4 peach halves, stone-cavity side up, on the baking parchment. If using fresh peaches, remove skin (by placing in large bowl and pouring boiling water over them, leave to stand for 2-3 minutes, and then the skin should peel away easily), halve and remove stone, and place on the parchment as for canned peaches.
3) Spoon the ricotta cheese into a bowl and blend with a wooden spoon to a smooth consistency. Add the crushed amaretti biscuits, honey, lemon zest and juice. Blend together well.
4) Spoon an equal amount of filling mixture into each peach half and bake for 20 minutes.
5) Drizzle a little extra honey over the peaches and serve.

Calories per serving: 125
Fat per serving: 4.3 g

Top Tips

• You can use one crushed ginger or digestive biscuit for an alternative to the almond flavour of the amaretti biscuits.
• You can also use other fruit, like pears or apricots. Just scoop out the centre to hold the filling.

Courtesy of the World Cancer Research Fund