Saffron Poached Pears

Name: Saffron Poached Pears
Yield: 4
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2 cups fruity white wine; 2 cups water; 1¼ cups castor sugar; Generous pinch saffron threads; 4 small firm pears

I love the simplicity of these saffron poached pears that chef Janni Kyritsis taught me to make many years ago. At MG Garage he served them alongside a delicate cardamom-scented blancmange made with yoghurt – I like them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, custard, dollop of Chantilly cream, or just on their own for a sweet ending to a picnic lunch! Use a slightly fruity white wine for this dish, like White Fences sauvignon blanc from Mudgee – and drink the rest of the bottle with your saffron poached pears. Pure saffron threads, such as those imported from Iran by Saffron & More, impart a distinctive aroma and beautiful colour to this dish; learn more about saffron and how to use it in the video below. Once all the poached pears have been eaten, you can use the remaining poaching liquid to make an easy Philadelphia-style ice cream.

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 cups fruity white wine
2 cups water
1¼ cups castor sugar
Generous pinch saffron threads
4 small firm pears

Method

Place wine, water, sugar and saffron into a saucepan just large enough to hold the pears snugly and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves.
Meanwhile, peel and core pears.
Add pears to the wine mixture; if necessary, add enough boiling water to just cover the pears.
Reduce heat, cover with a cartouche and a lid and cook on the lowest heat for about 30 minutes, until tender.
Remove from heat and set aside to cool in the poaching liquid.
Cover and refrigerate until needed.