Comice Pears In Spicy Red Wine

Total Time: 2 hrs Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• 625 ml full-bodied red wine
• 125 ml port wine
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cloves
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 2 pieces thin orange zest
• 2 tablespoons red currant jelly
• 200 g brown sugar
• 6 pears
• 150 ml clotted cream or 150 ml creme fraiche

Recipe

• 1 preheat the oven to 150°c/gas
• 2 put all the ingredients except the pears and cream into a heatproof casserole with a close-fitting lid. bring to a simmer. meanwhile, peel the pears, leaving the stalks intact, and add to the poaching liquid. cover, and then put in the oven for 1½-2 hours depending on the ripeness and size of the pears. (if making ahead, leave to cool, then chill for 1-2 days.)
• 3 to serve, remove the pears to a serving plate, place the casserole back on the heat, and reduce the liquid until it reaches a syrupy consistency,(you can add some arrowroot at this stage if desired). strain it over the pears, which should now look glossy and red.
• 4 serve with the clotted cream or the orange zest flavoured crème fraiche.