Prep time:

Cooking time: 1 hour

Total time:

Serves: 4

1kg Plums

2 Red Onions

5cm Piece of Ginger

2 Apples

2 Red Chillies

1tsp Chinese Five Spice Powder

1tsp Paprika

1tsp Coarsely Crushed Black Peppercorns

1tsp Salt

400ml Cider Vinegar

450g Granulated Sugar

Caroline Cowan and Sarah Bristow from Plum Tree Catering share three crowd-pleasing dishes for an irresistible autumnal picnic...

  • pictures: David Merewether

Savoury gingerbread & local Camembert (Winnie’s Wheel)

To make this canapé you can use shop-bought gingerbread, but I prefer something a bit more savoury.

Parma ham basket with labneh, truffle or herb oil & Jerusalem artichoke crisp

A complex canapé with multiple elements, but the wow factor lies in the surprisingly simple-to-make basket.

Chilli beef, mozzarella & chilli jam bruschetta

A super easy canapé that can be elevated with homemade bread and chutney or simplified using shop-bought ingredients. The flexibility makes it ideal for both casual gatherings and more polished events.