Spiced pear paste - a sweet addition to any cheese platter, particularly when paired with blue cheese and accompanied with a refreshing glass of Pimms punch!
⅛teaspoonground clovesI used a few whole cloves and pulled them out before pouring into the moulds
Instructions
Line 6 muffin tins with cupcake wrappers. Peel pears, remove cores and cut into quarters.
Place pears in a blender or food processor and process to a smooth puree.
Place puree, lemon juice, sugar, cloves and cinnamon in a large saucepan. Cook, stirring over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and bring to a full rolling boil (a boil that cannot be stirred down). Boil, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes or until mixture thickens to paste and darkens in colour. Be careful at this point as the mixture can be quite angry and splattery...and it's HOT!! Remove from heat and set aside for 5 minutes.
Pour mixture into prepared tins. Smooth surface. Set aside overnight at room temperature to allow mixture to set firmly.
To serve, take paste out of the tins and put it in the centre of a delicious looking platter - preferably with blue cheese!
STORAGE TIP - The paste will keep for 3 months, wrapped in plastic wrap, stored in the fridge.