Name: Poached spiced pears
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 5 black peppercorns, cracked; 2 star anise, cracked; 2 cardamom pods, bruised; 3 cup cranberry and apple juice; 2/3 cup dry red wine; 1 lemon, finely grated zest and juice of; 1 cinnamon stick; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 pears, peeled; 1 tablespoon caster sugar

Poached spiced pears

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Serves 4

Prep

Cook

40M

Total

45M

Ingredients

5 black peppercorns, cracked

2 star anise, cracked

2 cardamom pods, bruised

3 cup cranberry and apple juice

2/3 cup dry red wine

1 lemon, finely grated zest and juice of

1 cinnamon stick

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 pears, peeled

1 tablespoon caster sugar

Method

1.Place peppercorns, star anise and cardamom in a mortar and crush lightly with a pestle.

2.Combine cranberry and apple juice, red wine, lemon zest and juice, crushed spices, cinnamon stick and vanilla in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil.

3.Reduce heat and add pears. Simmer, covered, for 25-30 minutes or until tender. Cool pears in syrup.

4.Remove pears from syrup. Set aside. Strain syrup into a jug. Reserve half the syrup.

5.Pour remaining syrup into a saucepan with sugar. Heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes, until syrup thickens. Serve pears hot or cold with syrup.

The cooking time will depend on the size and ripeness of the pear. Any type of pear in season may be used in this recipe. Chill remaining syrup and top it with soda water for a refreshing drink, or drizzle it over fruit salad.
Note

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