Poached pears belle helene

Babiche Martens

Ingredients

1 cup	Sugar
2 cups	Water
1	Cinnamon stick
1	Lemon, (strip of lemon peel)
2	Cloves
2	Pears (Main)
100 g	Dark chocolate
½ cup	Cream
¼	Milk

Directions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat put the water, sugar, cinnamon, lemon peel and cloves.
2. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
3. Slice the bottom off the pears so they will sit flat.
4. With the point of a paring knife, cut out the core then peel, retaining the stalks.
5. Place the pears in the poaching liquid and very gently poach for approximately 30 minutes, carefully turning occasionally until the pears are tender and coloured.
6. Leave to cool in the syrup.
7. Serve with chocolate sauce made by heating the chocolate, cream and milk in a bowl over simmering water. When melted, stir to combine.