Spiced poached pears

Preparation stepsTotal time: 35 min

1. 1

   Peel5 min

   

   Peel the pears, keeping the stems. Weigh everything first, then cut pieces of the same size so they cook evenly. Keep the trimmings aside until the end, in case you need to adjust. Amount for this step: 4 pears.

2. 2

   Poach20 min

   

   Bring the juice, honey, spices and zest to a simmer. Add the pears for 20 minutes. The liquid should simmer, not boil. Stay close for the first few minutes to set the heat, then check that nothing sticks to the bottom. Amounts for this step: 4 pears; 1 strip of orange zest.

3. 3

   Reduce5 min

   

   Take out the pears and let the juice reduce for 5 minutes. The liquid should simmer, not boil. Stay close for the first few minutes to set the heat, then check that nothing sticks to the bottom. Amount for this step: 4 pears.

4. 4

   Serve5 min

   

   Spoon the syrup over the pears. Plate at the last minute. Taste for salt, pepper and acidity, then serve right away: a hot dish is served hot, a cold dish is served cold. Amount for this step: 4 pears.