Baked apple creams

1.Preheat oven to 160C. Combine dessert wine, 330gm sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, lemon rind, half the cardamom and 50ml water in a large deep-sided frying pan, stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, cook for 7-8 minutes until a light syrup forms, add apple, reduce heat to low-medium and cook, turning occasionally, until tender and translucent (10-12 minutes). Drain half the apple from syrup with a slotted spoon, divide among bases of four 500ml-capacity shallow ovenproof bowls placed in a baking tray lined with a tea towel, set aside. Warm remaining apples and syrup just before serving.

2.Meanwhile, combine cream and remaining cardamom in a saucepan over medium heat and bring just to the boil. Whisk yolks and remaining sugar to combine, pour over cream mixture and whisk to combine. Strain into a jug, divide among bowls and scatter with nutmeg. Pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up sides of ramekins, cover with foil and bake until just set (15-20 minutes), stand for 5 minutes, dust with icing sugar and serve with remaining apples, syrup and crisp biscuits.