Poached pear with spices and mascarpone

Serves : 2

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: about 35 minutes

The pears

• 2 Bartlett or Bosc pears, whole and peeled
• 1 l (4 cups) water
• 250 ml (1 cup) sugar
• 1 lemon, zest
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons) vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

Mascarpone cream

• 250 ml (1 cup) mascarpone cheese
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) powdered sugar
• 2 pinches cinnamon
• 1 pinch star anise, ground
• 5 ml (1 tsp.) vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

Oat crumble

• 100 g flour
• 100 g oats
• 100 g butter
• 100g sugar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven, rack in center, to 190°C (375°F).
2. For the crumble, combine the flour, oats, butter and sugar in a bowl.
3. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Halfway through baking, stir to evenly color the crumble.
4. Meanwhile, bring the water, sugar, lemon zest, vanilla extract and salt to the boil in a saucepan.
5. Add the pears to the simmering syrup and poach for 20 to 30 minutes. Set aside.
6. In a bowl, combine the mascarpone, powdered sugar, pinches of cinnamon and star anise, vanilla extract and salt.
7. In two plates, crush half the mascarpone cream, add some of the crumble and place the poached pears on top.
8. To decorate the pears, add a drizzle of chocolate coulis and a few flaked almonds.