Pears in Verjuice

Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time:30 mins
Serves: 6
Makes: 3 cups of Verjuice

Ingredients

• 6 just-ripe pears with stems intact
• 3 cups (750ml) Verjuice
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 cinnamon quill
• Verjuice
  • 1.6kg unripe grapes

Method

1. Peel the pears, leaving them whole with their stalks intact. Take a fine slice off the bottom of each pear to enable them to stand for serving. Put to one side.
2. Place Verjuice, honey and cinnamon quill into a pot and bring to a simmer, stirring once or twice. Add the pears and poach for 30 minutes, turning occasionally.
3. Remove the pears from the pot and reduce the sauce by two thirds. Serve the pears drizzled with sauce. They will keep for over a week in the fridge.
4. For the Verjuice
   1. Purée the grapes in a food processor. Press the pulp through a strainer lined with 4-5 layers of fine muslin to remove the skins and seeds. Pour the juice into a jug or bottle and refrigerate for use within 12 hours or freeze for later use.