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Pears poached in spiced perry with creme fraiche (recipes)






Serves 8



Preparation time

30 mins to 1 hour



Cooking time

30 mins to 1 hour

















Ingredients



1.5 litres/2½ pint perry175g/6oz light soft brown sugar1 vanilla pod2 x 7.5cm/3in cinnamon sticks2 blades of mace (optional)1 lemon, juice and pared zest8 conference pears150g/5oz creme fraiche



Method



1. Put the perry, sugar, vanilla pod, cinnamon, mace (if using), lemon zest and half the lemon juice into a saucepan just big enough to take the pears standing upright.2. Bring to the boil then lower the heat.3. Peel the pears, leaving the stalks intact and then take a very thin slice off the rounded end so that they can stand upright when you serve them. 4. Rub them with the rest of the lemon juice, lower them into the spiced perry and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until just tender. This will all depend on the ripeness of the pears that you use.5. When the pears are tender, lift them out with a slotted spoon into a serving bowl and leave to cool.6. Meanwhile, strain the vanilla pod and spices out of the cooking liquor, bring it back to the boil and boil rapidly until it is nicely syrupy and concentrated in flavour.7. Leave to cool, then pour back over the pears and chill for 1 hour or until you are ready to serve.8. To serve: lift the pears onto dessert plates. Pour over a little of the syrup and serve with a spoonful of the creme fraiche.