Sweet Stone Fruit Compote

Preheat the oven to 170°C (150°C fan) | 325°F | gas 3.

Place a couple of saucers in the freezer; they will be needed for testing the jam's setting point.

Combine the cherries and water in a large saucepan and cook over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the fruit softens. Once soft, add the sugar and stir well, scraping down the sides of the saucepan.

Reduce the heat and simmer the fruit and sugar for 10-15 minutes until the sugar has dissolved, stirring the jam occasionally. Once the sugar has dissolved, increase the heat and boil the jam for 10 minutes.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and spoon a teaspoon of the hot jam onto the cold saucers from the freezer; when the jam has cooled, prod it to see if a skin has formed. If it has, the jam is ready. If not, continue boiling for a few more minutes before testing again.

Once the jam is ready to set, add the butter and stir well until dissolved into the jam; skim off any scum on top and discard. Place a 1 lb jam jar in the oven with its lids to sterilise.

Remove after 10 minutes and place on a flat, heatproof surface. Spoon the jam into the jar and cover the top with a waxed disc.