RECIPES / SWEET
Spiced Pear Pavlova

Preparation Time
2.5hr
Cooling Time
3-4hr
Difficulty
Easy
Pavlova’s are special to me. I remember making one for my Grandma when I was about 14. It was a failure (in my eyes) but she loved it and that said to me how much she loved me.
I’ve come a long way since then, and my pavlovas are now a success thanks to her.
This is my celebration Pavlova - so easy to make and yet such a showstopper!
INGREDIENTS
For the Pavlova
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4 egg whites
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200g caster sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla
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1 teaspoon vinegar (I prefer malt vinegar, but you can use what you like)
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1 tablespoon cornflour
For the Poached Pears & Syrup
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4 beurre bosc pears
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200g brown sugar
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500g water
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2 cinnamon sticks
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1 star anise
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10 cloves
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1 small blood orange – 2-3 slices of the rind and the juice
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30mL Licor 43 (optional)
THIS RECIPE INCLUDES:
METHOD:
Poached pears & syrup can be made a day ahead. They need to be completely cool before decorating the pavlova – you don’t want your cream to melt!
Poaching Pears
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Add water, brown sugar, spices, orange rind, orange juice and Licor 43 to a saucepan the right size to snugly hold the pears.
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Heat on medium to dissolve the sugar.
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Peel the pears. Do this just before adding them for poaching so they don’t discolour.
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Add the pears to the syrup and bring to a rolling syrup on a low-medium heat.
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Place the lid on and simmer for approximately 35 minutes until the pears are just tender. Turn the pears every 5-10 minutes to ensure even poaching.
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Cool in the saucepan.
Syrup
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Remove the pears once they are cool and set aside for decorating the pavolva.
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Strain the syrup to remove all spices and orange peel.
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Reduce the syrup on a low – medium simmer for approximately 40 minutes or to your desired consistency. The syrup will thicken on cooling.
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Cool completely.
Pavlova
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Preheat oven to 230°C.
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Beat egg whites on high speed until peaks form then gradually add the sugar.
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Add the vanilla and vinegar, and lastly the cornflour. Ensure everything is mixed through.
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Fold some of the cold syrup through the pavlova – be as generous (or not) as you wish here.
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Spread the mix onto a baking tray lined with baking paper.
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Sprinkle generously with Oh! So good foods Pecan & Maple Dessert Dukkah to cover the top and sides of the pavlova.
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Place into the oven and reduce the heat to 120°C straight away and bake for 1.5 hours.
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Once the pavlova is cool put it onto your serving platter and top with whipped cream and poached pear.
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Drizzle with the reduced syrup (be generous!) and sprinkle with more Pecan & Maple Dessert Dukkah (again be generous!).
If you want to be a little bit fancy, instead of one large pavlova, make small pavlovas of approximately 12cm diameter x 3cm high.
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Place into the preheated oven and reduce the heat to 120°C straight away and bake for approximately 30 minutes.
When cool, assemble in the following order-
Layers 1 & 2 - Pavlova, cream, drizzled syrup and sprinkled Pecan & Maple Dessert Dukkah
Layer 3 – Pavlova, cream, pears, drizzled syrup generously and finally sprinkle with Pecan & Maple Dessert Dukkah.
Now stand back and bask in the ooohhhs and aaahhhs from your family and friends.
Enjoy!



