POACHED PEARS IN FRUIT JUICE

Rosedale orchard not only grow exquisite fruit but also produce fantastic fruit juice which I am going to use to poach some of their juicy pears.

1 litre juice – pear, blackcurrant or apple

½ - 1 cup of sugar

1 vanilla pod (optional)

Couple strips of orange zest

6 pears, peeled and cored

Method

Place the fruit juice into a deep medium size pot, add the sugar (sweetness is up to you) add the vanilla pod and orange zest.  Bring to the boil then reduce the temperature to a gentle simmer.  Place the pears in the liquid and place a round of greaseproof paper on top to help keep the moisture in and to keep the pears submerged.  Poach gently for 10 – 20 minutes or until the pears are tender all the way through.

Remove the pears carefully onto a platter and return the liquid back to heat and boil vigorously until the liquid has reduced to thick syrup.

Serve the pears whole with the fruit syrup poured over with either vanilla ice cream, cream or perhaps crème fraiche.