Poached Pears with Honey, Cinnamon & Almonds

Ingredients

• 2 ripe pears, peeled, halved and cored
• 400 ml water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 strip lemon zest (optional)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 20 g flaked almonds, lightly toasted

Method

1. In a saucepan, bring the water, cinnamon and lemon zest to a gentle simmer.
2. Place the pears in the simmering syrup, cut side down. Poach gently for 12-15 min, until a knife tip slides in easily. Turn halfway through.
3. Remove the pears from the heat and let cool slightly.
4. Stir in the honey once the syrup is off the heat, to preserve its nutritional qualities.
5. Plate the pears, sprinkle with flaked almonds and drizzle with a little syrup.

TCM perspective: Pear is the classic autumn food in Chinese dietetics: it moistens the Lung, soothes a dry cough and directly counters seasonal Dryness. Honey reinforces this moistening action, and almond enters specifically the Lung meridian.

Tips & precautions: An excellent dessert or snack for a Yin-deficient constitution (dry mouth/throat, dry skin, dry cough with no phlegm). Enjoy warm or cold. For a colder constitution, cook the pears a little longer rather than adding cold honey: the fruit will then be energetically warmer.

These are general principles of Chinese dietetics and do not replace personalised medical advice.