Tea-spiced pears

Serves 4

teamed in tea with warming ginger and Asian spices, this is almost like a Chinese tong sui, or sweet soup, and really feels as if it is doing you good. It’s a great example of how to use your steamer for things other than veggies – but if you don’t have a steamer, just simmer the pears in a pan. Unexpected bonus: it makes the kitchen smell divine. If you like glace ginger, scatter some on top when you serve.

• 1 tbsp jasmine tea leaves
• 150 g unrefined brown sugar
• 4 pears
• 2 slices fresh ginger
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise1 tbsp goji berries (optional)
  

1. Pour 1 litre of boiling water over the tea leaves and sugar in a bowl, stirring, then leave for 10 minutes.



2. Set your steamer going on high.



3. Peel the pears, cut in half and scoop out the cores. Place in a heatproof bowl and strain the tea over the pears. Add the ginger, cinnamon stick, star anise and goji berries.



4. Steam for 20 minutes or until the pears are tender.



5. Strain the tea into a pan and boil until reduced by half. Serve the pears, warm or cold, with the syrup.