2 Peel the orange and slice it across the grain into rounds 5mm thick remove any pips.

3 Cut each apple in half remove the cores and quarter.

4 Cut the pears in half lengthways remove the cores and cut into quarters.

5 Remove the grapes from their stalks and if they have seeds halve and de pip them.

6 Put the apples and pears into the syrup and simmer for 5 minutes.

7 Add the thyme (if it's dried put it in a muslin bag so that you can retriev e it without it coating the fruit).

8 Add the orange slices and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes.

9 Slice the pieces of stem ginger as thinly as you can add these to the pan alon g with the grapes and simmer for 5 minutes more.

10 Pour into a shallow gratin dish or similar china or glass container remove the thyme and allow the mixture to cool a little before eating.

Serves 4