Wednesday 28 November 2007

Spiced Poached Pears

Spicy Poached Pears
Serves 4

4 'not too ripe' pears (I use Conference) peeled
1 bottle of red wine
6 tbsp honey
1 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
4 cloves
1 orange, punctured a few times with a sharp knife

1 - Put all of the ingredients into a large pan. Bring to the boil then turn down the heat and simmer with a lid on for 45-60 minutes. Test the pears with a knife, it should glide in easily.
2 - Remove the pears and cool down. Remove the spices and orange, squeezing every last drop as you go.
3 - Take a small amount of the wine and reduce in a pan until you have a thick syrup. Serve the pears with a drizzle of syrup and a spoonful of yoghurt or cream.

These will keep nicely covered in the fridge for a couple of days. Make extra and you have a quick, classy dessert waiting for you.

6 comments:

Pat said...

David this sounds really lovely and I think it may well go on my Christmas menu for the pudding!!! Thanks!

William Leigh said...

dave, you're a genius - using the poaching liquor for mulled wine is pure and simple brilliance.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Thank goodness I live far away from any relatives..they just send money..so no gifts from hell!!!Great use for the sweeter wines with the lovely sauce!

Cynthia said...

Hey! I love those sweet German wines :D

David Hall said...

Pat - you wont regret it, just dont tell anybody what you used!

William - rather greed than genius my friend!

Bellini - you do right I have to say. I cant take any more!!!

Cynthia - WHAT?! :o)

Cheers
David

Figs, Bay, Wine said...

Gorgeous David! I've been poaching a lot of pears lately actually, and playing around with the sauces has been extremely satisfying. Can't wait to give this a whirl, and I'm so amused that you share my loathing for James Blunt. Too precious for words. Although one time I was at this small concert he did (long story), and this guy in the audience was heckling him in the worst way. Saying everything I was thinking, but then he got drunk enough that all he yell out was "Play Freebird!" at all the quiet bits. Pretty embarrassing. Anyway, James Blunt finally looked up at him and shrugged: "Hey man, say what you like, but this shit gets me laid." It was pretty good as far as comebacks go haha.

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