Roasted shallots with apple and cranberries

Serves 4 as an accompaniment to meat dishes

You'll need:

500g shallots, peeled and left whole
2 eating apples, peeled, cored and cut into large pieces
75g dried cranberries
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tbsp soft light brown sugar
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp cinnamon

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 190C / 375F / Gas Mark 5.

2. Place the shallots in a roasting tin and sprinkle over the olive oil, sugar, balsamic vinegar and cinnamon.  Season with sea salt and black pepper and toss together so that the shallots are well coated.  Roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

3. Add the apple pieces, stir well and return to the oven for a further 10 - 15 minutes, until the shallots and apple are golden, sticky and caramelised.  Scatter over the cranberries and return to the oven to heat through.

4. Serve as an accompaniment to pork chops, or as a side dish for Christmas or Thanksgiving.