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
For the chocolate sauce
- 75²µ/2½´Ç³ú butter
- 75²µ/2½´Ç³ú sugar
- 75ml/2½fl oz double cream
- 75²µ/2½´Ç³ú cocoa powder
- 75ml/2½fl oz water
To serve
- crème fraÃche
- cinnamon powder, to dust
Method
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.