PEARS

If your pears are hard as rocks and then the next minute they’ve turned to mush (there seems to be only an hour in the life of a pear when they’re just right for eating) then poaching them is a good solution.  Use hard pears and poach them in red wine with some cinnamon, vanilla and a little sugar.  Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche or thick cream for a dessert that looks all complicated sophistication, but is actually a doddle.