Pears in Chocolate Marsala Syrup

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 1/2 cup marsala
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 4 pears, firm, ripe and peeled (Buerrebosc are good])
• cream, to serve

Directions

1. 1

   Choose pot large enough to hold pears lying down in single layer.

2. 2

   Combine water, marsala, sugar and cocoa in pot.

3. 3

   Stir and bring to a simmer over high heat.

4. 4

   Add pears and simmer gently for 10 - 15 minutes till tender.

5. 5

   Turn pears occasionally whilst simmering.

6. 6

   Remove them from pot and set aside.

7. 7

   Simmer syrup for 40 minutes till reduced to about 1 cup.

8. 8

   Serve syrup warm over pears with cream.