RED WINE POACHED PEARS
RED WINE POACHED PEARS
RED WINE POACHED PEARS

Ingredients
  • 750ml/1 pint 7fl oz red wine
  • 250g/9oz caster sugar
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 vanilla pod
  • split
  • 2 cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 6 firm pears
  • peeled
  • but stalk on
  • 75g/2½oz butter
  • 75g/2½oz sugar
  • 75ml/2½fl oz double cream
  • 75g/2½oz cocoa powder
  • 75ml/2½fl oz water
  • 75g/2½oz dark chocolate
  • chopped
  • crème fraÃche
  • cinnamon powder
  • to dust
Directions
  • Place the wine
  • sugar and the herbs and spices into a pan over a medium heat and bring to the boil.
  • Reduce the heat to a simmer
  • then add the pears and poach for 20-30 minutes
  • or until softened
  • but still firm. (Turn the pears frequently to keep them covered with the wine.)
  • Remove the pears and set aside. Bring the poaching liquid back up to the boil and cook until the liquid is reduced to a syrup.
  • For the chocolate sauce
  • place the butter
  • sugar
  • cream
  • cocoa powder
  • water and chocolate into a pan over a low heat and stir until melted and combined. Continue to heat the sauce for 4-5 minutes
  • until thick and glossy.
  • To serve
  • place a pear into the centre of each dish of six dishes and pour the chocolate sauce around. Serve with a dollop of crème fraîche. Dust with cinnamon powder.