RED WINE PISTACHIO POACHED PEARS

Serves: 12

INGREDIENTS

• 6 pears
• Merlot red wine
• 1 large orange
• 1 cup orange juice
• orange peel
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 8 whole cloves
• 1 cup sugar
• teaspoon vanilla essence
• 80g chopped pistachios for decoration

METHOD

1. Peel the pears, keeping the stalks on.
2. Cut pears in half and remove the core or keep them whole.
3. In a pot, over medium heat, pour wine, sugar, orange peels, orange juice, cloves, cinnamon sticks, vanilla and pears and bring to a simmer for approximately 20-25 minutes until pears are tender.
4. Remove pears from pot and allow the wine sauce to simmer. Reduce the juice to a syrup by boiling it until the bubbles become denser.
5. Pour the syrup over the pears and crushed pistachios.
6. Serve with cream or ice cream of choice.

TOP TIP

You can bake tarts or puff pastry pockets, top with poached pears and serve as a sweet savoury dessert.