PEARS POACHED IN ORANGE SAUCE

PEARS POACHED IN ORANGE SAUCE
Ingredients

• 2 large Firm, Ripe Pears
• Juice of 4 Oranges
• 2 largeMandarin Oranges or 1 small tin
• 2 tablespoons Cointreau - optional

Method

1. Peel pears, halve lengthways and remove the seeds with a melon baller. Use a sharp knife to remove the hard cores. Place the pears cut side down in a saucepan with the orange juice and, optionally, the cointreau.
2. Cover and bring to simmering point.
3. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, just until tender, turning the halves over after 5 minutes and spooning the juice over them.
4. Leave to cool in juice.
5. If using fresh mandarins, remove the membrane covering each segment.
6. Put pear halves in dessert dishes and spoon juice over.
7. Arrange mandarin segments around and decorate with mint sprigs.