Le Creuset Ginger & Cinnamon Pear Pudding

| DIFFICULTY Easy | PREP TIME Under 30 Min. | COOK TIME Under 2 Hrs. | SERVES 8 |

This dessert is an excellent alternative to the traditional Christmas pudding, made with poached pears, warming spices and a good amount of fresh ginger.

For this recipe, you'll need a Le Creuset Stoneware 32cm Heritage Rectangular Dish

INGREDIENTS

For the poached pears:

• 8 medium pears, under-ripe, stalk kept on, peeled
• 330g soft brown sugar
• 1.5L water
• 1 cinnamon quill
• 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped and pod set aside
• 5cm fresh ginger cut in half
• 1 lemon

For the pudding:

• 12 large free-range eggs
• 330g caster sugar
• 360g almond flour
• 400g double cream plain yogurt
• 2 tsp or 10ml baking powder
• 70g corn flour
• 2 tsp or ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp or ground ginger
• Seeds from 1 vanilla pod

TO SERVE

• Icing sugar, for dusting
• Fresh vanilla bean custard, to serve

METHOD

1. Core the pears from the bottom using a melon baller or a small sharp knife. Place them in a bowl of water with the juice of half a lemon while you prepare the poaching liquid - this keeps the pears from discolouring.
2. Place the water, sugar, ginger, cinnamon quill, remaining lemon, and vanilla pod in a Le Creuset 24cm Deep Casserole and place over medium heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Fully submerge the pears in the liquid and poach for 20 minutes. Remove and place them into iced lemon water immediately to stop the cooking process and prevent discolouring.
3. Preheat the oven to 180°C oven fan.
4. Grease a Le Creuset 32cm Heritage Rectangular Dish with baking spray.
5. In a large mixing bowl whisk the eggs, reserved vanilla seeds, and sugar until well combined.
6. Sift the corn flour, spices, baking powder, and almond flour making sure there are no lumps. Whisk the dry ingredients until well-combined well. Fold the yoghurt into the eggs and sugar until combined and then fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until well combined.
7. Arrange the poached pears in the rectangular dish, pour the batter over the pears, and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the pudding to cool slightly. Dust with icing sugar and serve warm with custard.

Cook’s Notes