Poached pears with warm coffee sauce

This is a dessert that can be prepared up to two days before serving - a winner for midweek entertaining. Poach your pears and make the caramel sauce ahead, but warm both before serving.

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat 1 litre water with the sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a large saucepan, starting to dissolve the sugar. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. In the meantime, peel and core the pears, leaving the stalk intact, and cut a thin slice off the bottom so they can stand upright. Add the pears to the pan and bring to a simmer. Poach gently, turning occasionally, for 10-15 minutes or until tender.


  2. 2

    Meanwhile, place all the ingredients for the sauce [brown sugar, double cream, 1 tsp natural vanilla extract, butter, espresso) in a small saucepan over a medium heat, stir to combine and bring to a slow boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until thick and syrupy.


  3. 3

    Remove the pears from the syrup with a slotted spoon. Serve them drizzled with warm coffee sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.


Ingredients Buy ingredients

  • 160g Caster sugar
  • 1 tsp Vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 2 Cinnamon sticks
  • 6 medium Firm, ripe pears (about 200g each)
  • 95g Soft brown sugar
  • 250ml Double cream
  • 1 tsp Natural vanilla extract
  • 15g Butter
  • 1 shot Espresso (or 30ml very strong black coffee)
  • 1 tub Vanilla Ice Cream, to serve

Serves 4

Total time required Total cooking time: 30 mins

  • Preparation time: 5 mins
  • Cooking time: 25 mins

Recipe published with permission from Quadrille.
Bill Granger: Feed Me Now

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Tate & Lyle Fairtrade Cane Caster Sugar 500g

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