SPICED PEAR BUTTER RECIPES

Steps:

• Place spices on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose spices; tie securely with string. In a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker, toss remaining ingredients. Add spice bag, covering with pears., Cook, covered, on low 5-6 hours or until pears are tender. Remove spice bag., Puree pear mixture using an immersion blender. Or, cool slightly and puree mixture in a blender in batches; return to slow cooker., Cook, uncovered, on high 1-2 hours or until mixture is thickened to desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Store cooled pear butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week.
  Freeze option: Freeze cooled pear butter in freezer containers up to 3 months. Liquids expand as they freeze, so leave extra room at the top of the freezer container. To use, thaw in refrigerator.

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6.
  2. Put a 21cm-diameter frying pan with an ovenproof handle on a hob over a medium heat. Add the sugar and heat to a lovely caramel colour, stirring constantly.
  3. Chop the butter into cubes, then add to the pan with the ginger and cinnamon, and stir to combine.
  4. Peel and core the pears, cut into wedges, then place in the caramel and spoon over the mixture. Turn the heat down and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the pears are just tender and cooked but retain their shape.
  5. Remove from the heat and cool slightly, then arrange the pears prettily in the pan.
  6. Roll out the pastry to about 5mm thick and cut a disc slightly bigger than your pan (about 24cm).
  7. Carefully place the pastry disc on top of the pears and caramel, then carefully tuck it snugly around the outside of the pears and down into the sides of the pan.
  8. Bake the pie for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
  9. Remove from the oven and leave for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge, place a large plate over the top and carefully turn the tart onto the plate. Serve with double cream.