Poached Pears

• 4 pears
• 150 g/5 oz caster sugar

Peel the pears. Place all the other ingredients in a saucepan which will fit the pears tightly, bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Add the peeled pears and, if necessary, top up with a little water, just to cover them.

When the pears are soft, carefully remove them from the saucepan, using a slotted spoon. Continue simmering the cooking liquid until it is reduced to a syrup.