I think you all like desserts as much as the main meal! So I made a special dessert tonight. It is a rich gourmet delight that is guaranteed to send praise your way by all who indulge!
It is very simple and inexpensive to make. Who knew that blending and preparing foods can create the most wonderful flavours.
Peel and core five ripe (but firm) green pears. Be sure to leave the stalk on top and coring is done with two simple scoops using a melon baller into the base of the pear. It removes all the seeds and leaves a whole solid pear.
Place all five peeled and cored pears into a deep pot, pour in any cheap red wine (or expensive if you don't want to drink it), 100 gms of brown sugar, two vanilla beans, split lengthways to release the essence, two whole cinnamon sticks and about six star anise pods.
Bring to the boil and then simmer on low heat, covered, for about an hour. Turn the pears gently using a large cooking spoon so all the pear soaks the wine juice. Let them cook. They will progressively become a dark burgundy colour. Let them cook and soften. They will become quite delicate and they will score or damage easily, so turn them gently.
The alcohol in the wine will completely evaporate at relatively low heat, so children can enjoy these too.
Serve them warm. Be sure to provide your guests with a pear, a large pond of red wine juice and a sampling of the remaining spices.
There is no limit to the amount of whipped cream you are allowed to add. A couple of drops of vanilla essence will make the cream blend so well.
The best way to handle these poached pears is not to serve them to your family and friends. Instead put them in the refrigerator so you can warm them and enjoy them each night without any one else knowing they are there.
They are too good to share!