Ingredients

· 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthways

· 2 cinnamon sticks

· ¼ tsp grounded nutmeg

· 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar

· 4 pears, peeled

· Double cream or ice-cream, to serve

Method

Place four cups of cold water, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Add pears and cook, partially covered, turning occasionally, for 18-20 minutes or until pears are just tender then remove from heat. Allow pears to cool in syrup, turning occasionally. Using a slotted spoon to transfer pears to a plate. Return syrup to medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Continue boiling for 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced by one-third. Serve pears with sugar syrup and cream, or ice-cream.