Butter Poached Pears

Cook Time 20 minutes plus cooling

Servings 4

Ingredients

300g caster sugar

½ lemon, juiced

1 tsp vanilla bean, split

1 cinnamon stick

1 star anise

50g butter

4 Beurre Bosc pears, peeled

Mascarpone, to serve

Method

In a medium-sized pot, on medium heat, mix the caster sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, star anise, butter and 1L water together. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.

Carefully place the pears in and cover with a cartouche (round of baking paper that fits the circumference of the pot, with a hole in the middle. This helps submerge the pears and ensure even cooking). On medium-low heat, simmer the pears for 10 - 15 minutes, until they’re just cooked through or until a skewer inserted through the centre goes through the pear with ease. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Reduce the buttery cooking liquid by 1/3.

Serve the pears with a few spoonfuls of cooking liquor and mascarpone.