– Ingredients –

THE RECIPE

Take three or four soft-dried prunes per person – six if they are very small – and check their stones have been removed. If you are going to stuff them with a smidge of mango chutney now is the time to do it. Place a rasher of bacon on a chopping board, place the prune at one end and roll it up. Secure the bacon in place with a cocktail stick. Place a few centimetres apart on a grill pan or baking sheet and grill until sizzling, turning once.

THE TRICK

Soak the prunes in brandy for half an hour before wrapping. Use soft, semi-dried prunes or soak them overnight before using. If you are serving them with drinks, make sure you have stoned the prunes. No one wants to spit out a prune stone in the middle of party small-talk.

THE TWIST

Use plumped-up dried apricots in place of the prunes. Substitute thinly sliced pancetta for the bacon. Tuck a skinned whole almond inside the prune, or a teaspoon of mango chutney or an olive. Some people swap the prune for a large chicken liver. Or use an oyster and call them angels on horseback.

– Author –

Nigel Slater View on author website Purchase Ingredients