蜜芽传媒

Chocolate poached Pears.

Serves 4

4 firm pears, peeled (leave the stalks and any leaves on)
Rind of one lemon
125g caster sugar
400ml red wine
1 vanilla pod or a few drops of vanilla essence

Sauce
125g plain dark chocolate
30g butter

Slice the bottoms off the pears so that they will stand up easily on a plate.

Place the sugar, wine and vanilla into a large pan, grate the rind of one lemon into it and bring to the boil.

Add the peeled pears, put a lid or a plate onto the saucepan and simmer gently for about an hour or until tender.

Remove the pears from the pan and place onto individual plates.

To make the sauce, place the saucepan with the remaining red wine and sugar mixture onto the heat and simmer until reduced by about a third. Add the chocolate and butter, mix gently then whisk until smooth and silky.

Pour some sauce onto the pears and serve with cream, creme fraiche or natural yoghurt.