Berry pudding

Method

1. Syrup

   In a medium saucepan, add the sugar, water and strawberries over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly until slightly softened and a syrup forms. Add blueberries and cook for one minute. Stir through raspberries, blackberries, vanilla and cinnamon and remove from heat immediately. Set aside to cool slightly.

2. Loaf

   Meanwhile, line a lightly oiled 23cm x 12.5cm x 7cm loaf tin with glad wrap, leaving an overhang of 15cm on all sides. Use two to three slices of bread to line the base of the loaf tin, trimming to fit, with pieces slightly overlapping. Cut the remaining slices into thick fingers (two to three from each slice) to line sides, placing them side by side, slightly overlapping. Spoon the fruit into the tin, packing it tightly. Pour in half the juice and reserve the remaining liquid. Cut the remaining slices of bread to fit on top of the fruit, then pour over half the remaining syrup. Bring the glad wrap up over the bread and loosely seal. Weigh the top of the pudding down evenly with cans. Place the pudding in the refrigerator overnight.

3. Serving

   Use glad wrap to turn pudding out onto a serving plate. Serve with extra berries, remaining syrup, vanilla bean ice cream and mint sprigs.