Petrified Pears
-
Serves: 3
-
Difficulty: Medium
-
Prep Time:
10 mins -
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 mins
This poached pear recipe is a real winner, not only are they a delicious dessert perfect for any dinner party but they really look the scary Halloween part.
What you'll need
50ml water
125g SPAR sugar
2 cloves (optional)
Zest of 1 SPAR lemon, plus juice to taste
3 hard pears, peeled
To serve
Chocolate drops or blueberries
Strawberry syrup
Method
1. Heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas mark 4. Put the water in a pan with the sugar, cloves if using, and zest and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
2. Meanwhile, peel the pears and cut off the tops. Cut out the core at the base, but leave the stalk intact. Transfer them to an ovenproof dish.
3. Pour the liquid over the top – it should just cover the fruit – and cover. Bake for about an hour, checking after 45 minutes. Once the fruit is tender but still holds its shape, lift it out of the liquid and set aside until cold.
4. Carefully press chocolate drops, or berries into the pears for eyes and a nose. Squirt some strawberry syrup on a serving plate and arrange the pears on top.