Poached Pears in Chocolate

Cook Time 30 minutes (+ chilling)

Servings 4

Ingredients

500g caster sugar

3 cinnamon sticks

2 pieces of lemon peel

4 Beurre bosc pears, peeled, left whole and core removed

180g dark chocolate, roughly chopped

Method

Place sugar, 1 litre of water, lemon peel and cinnamon into a pot that will fit the four pears. Bring to the boil and stir to dissolve sugar and then turn down to a simmer. Add the pears, ensuring they are completely submerged in the liquid. Cover with a piece of fitted baking paper and a lid and poach gently for 6-8 minutes. Once cooked, cool pears completely in syrup. These will last for a few days in the fridge.

Melt the chocolate in a glass bowl over a pot of barely simmering water. Stir regularly to ensure the chocolate does not seize. Remove from heat.

Pour the chocolate into individual bowls and serve with a poached pear on top.