• 2 pears peeled and quartered
• 1 cup apple juice 100% juice
• 1 ½ cups water
• 5 cardamom pods
• 3 cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 star anise
• 1 vanilla bean split and scraped

Instructions:

1. Place a large pot over medium heat. Add the water, juice, and spice and bring to a boil.

2. Reduce the liquid to simmer and add the sliced pears.

3. Continue to simmer gently until pears are tender when tested with a fork.

4. Remove pears with tongs and remove as many of the bits from the liquid as you can.

5. Put the liquid back on to simmer for 5 more minutes or until it slightly thickens. 

Serve a little of the liquid with the pear.

So what's so great about pears?

Pears contain fibre which assists and sustains a healthy blood sugar level and promotes regularity.

Pears are high in antioxidants, vitamin C (helping you absorb iron), copper and folic acid. These are delicious for dessert served warm with natural or Greek yoghurt and a sprinkling of hazelnuts. They also work well cold for breakfast on top of porridge or muesli.