Pears on Wine

4 large firm comice pears.
30g(1oz) of sliced almonds
50g(2oz) of caster sugar
1/2 pint(300ml) of red wine
some cloves

• Peel the pears, leaving the stalks on; spike the pears with the almonds halves.
Mix the sugar, wine and cloves in a Panela de Pedra big enough to hold the pears and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved.
• Add the pears, standing them upright in the Panela de Pedra, cover and simmer gently for about 15 minutes, until pears are tender, basting them from time to time with the liquid.
• Transfer the pear very gently to a serving dish.
• Remove the lid from the pot and increase the heat and boil fast until the liquid is reduced by half.
• Pour over the pears and serve hot or cold with clotted cream or natural yoghurt.

Serves 4