Saffron and Honey Poached Pears

Delicately flavored with saffron, cardamom and rose water, these poached pears are an easy, yet impressive dessert. They are refined sugar-free, gluten-free and take only 30 minutes to prepare. For a healthier treat, serve the spiced fruit with labneh and crushed pistachios. For a more decadent option, pair them with vanilla ice cream. Either way, they are delicious!

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Recipe

Saffron And Honey Poached Pears

(Serves 8)

Ingredients

4 ripe, firm pears
2 cups water 
1/3 cup honey (or add more to taste) 
5 cardamom pods, lightly pounded 
A generous pinch of saffron
1 tbsp rose water (optional)
Pinch of salt

To Serve -
Labneh/Greek yogurt/vanilla ice cream and crushed pistachios

Method

In a heavy-based saucepan, combine the water, honey, cardamom, saffron, rose water and salt. Bring to a simmer over low heat.

Peel the pears and place them in the hot syrup. Cover with a lid and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, turning and basting the pears gently every 5 minutes or so.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the poached pears from the syrup and set them aside. 

Continue to cook the syrup until it reduces by half.

To Serve: Slice each pear in half, spoon out the core and place in a serving dish. Pour some of the reduced honey syrup over each half, top with a dollop of labneh or Greek yogurt and sprinkle with crushed pistachios. Alternately, you can serve the pears warm with vanilla ice cream.