Method

• Preheat the oven to 180C
• When preparing quince you need to work quickly as they discolour almost instantly.
• Place the quince halves flesh side up in a snug oven dish.
• Squash the butter into the core cavity and sprinkle over the brown sugar, add the star anise and bay leaf to the oven dish and add the water.
• Finish with a generous grating of nutmeg and place into the oven.
• Bake for 20 minutes and then check by carefully inserting a skewer into the flesh.
• If it’s tender all the way through then it is cooked, if not then continue cooking for another 10-20 minutes or until tender. 
• If you notice that the liquid has reduced too much add a little more water so that it doesn’t burn. You may also need to cover it with foil.
• When they are tender and aromatic and the sauce has turned into a golden glaze serve warm with pouring cream or good quality vanilla ice cream.
• They also go particularly well with pork and duck!