Black elderberry poached pears with custard

Elderberry juice is the perfect red wine alternative for poached pears with its dark rich colour. This dessert pairs nicely with ice cream or custard, or you can serve it in its own syrup for a lighter treat. The perfect way to make a dark evening warm and cosy.

Ingredients for poached pears (4 servings):

• 400 ml water
• 4 tbs. black elderberry juice concentrate
• Spices: cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, cardamom
• 150 g sugar (or honey)
• 4 medium or 8 small pears
  
  

Method:

1. Add water, elderberry juice concentrate, spices and sugar to a pot. Stir together and simmer on low.
2. Peal the pears and put them into the pot. Keep simmering on low heat for about 30-40 minutes.
3. Take them off the stove but leave the pears in the liquid. The longer you leave them in the richer the colour will be.
4. Take the pears out, pour the juice through a sieve and put it back on the stove. Reduce it till thick and glossy.
5. Pair it with ice cream or custard or leave it simple and serve it in its own syrup.

Ingredients for custard (4 servings):

• 3 egg yolks
• 100 g sugar
• 150 ml milk
• 150 ml cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla paste
  
  

Method:

1. Whisk egg yolks, sugar and vanilla paste until you get an even texture.
2. In a pot heat milk with cream till it’s scolding hot, but do not bring it to a boil.
3. Add a portion of the hot milk and cream to the eggs while whisking constantly, then add the mixture back into the pot. Keep whisking until it thickens and comes to a boil.
4. Take it off the stove and strain through a mesh sieve to get rid of any lumps.
5. Custard may be served hot or cold.