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Earl Grey Spiced Poached Pears
Michele LillieEnjoy this special tea-infused dessert from Jamie Oliver.
He uses Earl Grey tea but, make it your own by varying the tea and spices. For a light touch, use jasmine and citrus notes. For a fall treat, try chai tea and warm spices.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Earl Grey loose leaf tea
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 orange
- 1 pinch of saffron
- ½ inch piece ginger, peeled
- 4 cardamom pods
- 6 Bosc pears
- Vegetable oil, for greasing
- 4 Tbsp sesame seed
- 2 tsp honey
- Ice cream or Greek-style yogurt, to serve
Directions
Step 1
Place the tea in a wide, shallow pan large enough to hold all of the pears. Pour over 2 cups of boiling water, stir in the sugar and leave to brew for 3 minutes. Strain and discard the tea leaves.
Step 2
Peel three large strips of orange zest and add to the tea along with the saffron and ginger. Using the side of your knife, gently apply pressure to the cardamom pods to open slightly and then add to the pan. Bring to the boil over a high heat, then reduce to a slow simmer.
Step 3
Peel, halve and core the pears, then lower into the pan. Poach for 15-25 minutes, until just tender. The time will vary depending on the ripeness of the pears.
Step 4
Remove the pears with a slotted spoon and arrange in a single layer in a dish. Bring the poaching liquid back to the boil and simmer until thickened and reduced by half, then remove the orange peel, ginger and cardamom.
Step 5
Pour the syrup over the pears, set aside to cool, then cover and chill in the fridge overnight.
Step 6
The next day, lightly oil a baking sheet. Toast the sesame seeds in a saute pan over a medium heat, stirring regularly, until golden. Turn off the heat, drizzle over the honey and stir to completely coat the seeds. Remove from the saute pan directly onto the baking sheet and set aside to cool.
Step 7
To serve, reheat the pears and syrup in a pan over a medium heat. Divide between serving dishes, scatter over clusters of honeyed seeds and drizzle over the poaching liquid. Serve with scoops of vanilla ice cream or thick Greek yogurt.