Christmas Ice Cream

If you're looking for a change from the usual Christmas pudding, here is one possibility.

1 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit
1/4 cup mixed peel
1/4 cup chopped preserved ginger
1/2 cup glace cherries
2 teaspoons mixed spice
1/2 cup dry sherry
1/4 cup Cointreau
2 litres French vanilla ice cream

Place the dried fruit, peel, ginger and chopped cherries in a bowl and sprinkle over the sherry and Cointreau. Set aside in a cool place for two or three days - or at least overnight.

Next day stir the mixed spice through the fruit.

Soften the ice cream and fold in the fruit, ensuring that everything is well combined. Put in a suitable container, return to the freezer and allow to freeze overnight. Alternatively the mixture can be spooned into individual-serve containers such as dariole moulds.

Serve garnished with a cherry half and a couple of mint leaves.