Flambéed Cherries with Ice Cream

Mix together the sugar and cornflour in a wide saucepan. Stir in the water and orange juice. Bring to the boil over medium-high heat, whisking until thickened. Stir in the cherries and orange zest, return to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. While the cherries are cooking, spoon the ice cream into serving bowls.

Remove the cherries from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour in the brandy and ignite with a long lighter. Gently shake the pan until the blue flame has extinguished itself. Spoon the cherries over the bowls of ice cream.