Spiced Poached Pears

Ingredients

• 6 pears, any varient
• 120g brown sugar
• zest of 1 large orange
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1 stick of cinnamon
• 4 star anise
• 200ml Manzanilla sherry
• 200ml water

Method

1. Peel the pears leaving the stalk. 
2. In a large pan heat all the ingredients together until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil.
3. Add the pears and poach over a low heat for 15-20 minutes until the pears are soft. This will vary with how ripe your pears are.
4. Remove the pears with a slotted spoon and bring the liquid to the boil again. Heat until thickened and reduced by half.
5. Allow to cool slightly then pour over the pears and serve with whipped cream or ice-cream.