French Toast Crumpets

For the Poached Apple:

• 100 g caster sugar
• 1 star anise
• 1 stick

Start by poaching the apple. Place the sugar, star anise and cinnamon stick in a pan with 500ml water and bring slowly to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved, then take off the heat. Peel the apple and cut into ½cm cubes, disposing of the core and seeds. Place the apple cubes in the syrup and bring back up to a boil, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Take