Poached pears

Ingredients

• 2 large oranges, divided
• 6 small pears
• 2 cups (500 ml) red wine
• ¼ cup (60 ml) honey
• 3 tbsp white sugar (or raw sugar)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• ¼ tsp ground cardamom
• Roughly chopped pistachios, thick cream or ice cream, to serve

Instructions

1. Finely zest and juice half the oranges, then cut the remaining oranges into 7 mm thick slices. Pour the fresh orange juice into a medium bowl. Peel the pears, then transfer directly into the orange juice (this will help prevent browning!)
2. Heat the wine, honey, sugar, cinnamon and cardamom in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil, then reduce the heat and add the pears and orange juice to the mixture. Top with the orange slices, cover and gently simmer for 20-30 minutes, turning the pears occasionally, until the pears are tender and cooked through. Using tongs, gently remove the pears to a bowl, then continue to reduce the syrup until it thickens.
3. Serve the poached pears with the syrup. Sprinkle with pistachios and serve with a dollop of thick cream or ice-cream on the side.

Photography by Jiwon Kim.

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