Everyday recipes
Diabetic-friendly poached spiced pears
INGREDIENTS
5 black peppercorns, cracked
2 star anise, cracked
2 cardamom pods, bruised
3 cups cranberry and apple juice
2/3 cup dry red wine
Finely grated zest and juice 1 lemon
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 Beurre Bosc pears, peeled
1 tablespoon caster sugar
METHOD
- Place peppercorns, star anise and cardamom in a mortar and crush lightly with a pestle.
- Combine juice, wine, lemon zest and juice, crushed spices, cinnamon stick and vanilla in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat and add pears. Simmer, covered, for 25-30 minutes or until tender. Cool pears in syrup.
- Remove pears from syrup. Set aside. Strain syrup into a jug. Reserve half the syrup (see tip). Pour remaining syrup into a saucepan with sugar. Heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes, until syrup thickens. Serve pears hot or cold with syrup.
Top tips- The cooking time will depend on the size and ripeness of the pear. Any type of pear in season may be used in this recipe.
- Chill remaining syrup and top it with soda water for a refreshing drink, or drizzle it over fruit salad.
