THE OXFORD BLUE

“After a couple of hot days September is now showing it’s true colours. Poached pears and butterscotch sauce is a nostalgic autumnal treat for me and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.”

– Steven Ellis, Chef Proprietor

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 Conference pears
  • 300ml approx stock syrup
  • 2 tbsp caster sugar
  • 2 star anise pods
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 100g unrefined soft brown sugar
  • 25g unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 6 tbsp corn syrup or 5 tbsp golden syrup
  • 3 tbsp double cream

METHOD

  1. Place the pears in a stainless-steel saucepan with enough stock syrup to cover, then add the star anise and cinnamon stick. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
  2. Put the sugar and butter in a second pan, measure in the syrup (using a spoon that has been dipped in boiling water makes this much easier). Bring this to the boil, stirring continuously, then simmer for 5 minutes, stirring once or twice.
  3. Remove from the heat, add the cream and keep the mixture warm.
  4. With a slotted spoon remove the pears from the syrup and boil the syrup until it has reduced to less than 100ml.
  5. Place the pears on four serving plates, spoon a little syrup around the pears and then pour the butterscotch sauce