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Spiced Poached Pears with Vanilla Mascarpone

Prep Time40 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 6 Serves

Ingredients

  • 1 x 750-ml bottle fruity red wine
  • 300 g Sugar
  • 400 mls Water
  • 120 mls Orange Juice
  • 2 tsp Orange zest
  • 1 rounded teaspoon ground Cardamom freshly ground
  • 1 Cinnamon stick
  • 6 firm Pears peeled, cored, stems left intact
  • 150 g Mascarpone
  • 1 Tbls  icing sugar
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste

Instructions

  • 1.  Combine the first 7 ingredients in a large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a simmer.  Although a little time consuming please take the time to buy the cardamom pods and grind yourself as this will make all the difference to the end result.
  • 2.  Add the pears and return the mixture and bring back to a simmer. Reduce heat and simmer slowly until pears are tender when pierced with a knife, about 25 minutes. Transfer pears to a plate. Boil the liquid in the saucepan reduced by one-third of the original quantity, approximately 20 minutes. Pass the liquor through a fine sieve. (Can be made 1-2 days ahead.) Cover and chill pears in the poaching liquid.
  • 3.  Combine the mascarpone with the icing sugar and vanilla bean paste. Before serving, warm the pears and poaching liquor over medium-low heat until warmed through.