Easy poached pears

• 1 cup Marsala or sherry
• 2-4 T brown sugar
• 4 peeled pears
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole star anise
   

1. Place the Marsala or sherry* in a saucepan with brown sugar. 
2. Add the pears and the spices. 
3. Gently poach over a medium to low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until tender but still firm.
4. Serve with readymade malva pudding or with your favourite ice cream, drizzled with the poaching liquid from the pears. 

(Serves 4)

*Use verjuice if you’d like to make an alcohol-free version