Pears Hélène recipe

There is something special about pears with ice cream and chocolate sauce – they are three ingredients that go very well together. This dessert is so quick and easy to make and will soon become a firm favourite. The pears can be served warm or chilled but the chocolate sauce should be served hot as this makes the dessert extra delicious. You could also try this recipe using apple instead.

Ingredients

• 75g caster sugar
• 1 vanilla pod
• 4 pears, peeled, cored and halved
• 4 scoops vanilla ice cream
• For the chocolate sauce
• 225g plain chocolate, broken into pieces
• 250ml water
• 1 tbsp brandy – optional
• 90g unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Method

1. Put the sugar, vanilla pod and pear halves into a large saucepan and pour in sufficient water to cover.
2. Bring to the boil then cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 10- 20 minutes or until the pears are tender.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and leave the pears to cool in the syrup.
4. Meanwhile make the chocolate sauce – place the chocolate, water and brandy ( if used) in a saucepan and heat on a low heat, stirring constantly until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually stir in the butter until it is melted and the sauce is glossy.
6. Divide the pears between 4 serving dishes, add a scoop of ice cream and pour on the hot chocolate sauce.