Caramelised pear and apple flavoured with star anise and cinnamon

caramelised pear and apple flavoured with star anise and cinnamon, originally uploaded by yongtze.

Who doesn't like dessert? This particular one has a very strong flavour - star anise and cinnamon. It is absolutely simple and fast to make.

serves 4:

- 60g caster sugar
- 25g unsalted butter
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 star anise
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorn, slightly crushed
- 4 apples, cored and quartered
- 2 pears, cored and halved
- 100ml apple juice

Put the sugar in a skillet over high heat. When the edge starts to brown and caramelise, add the spices, salt, and the unsalted butter. Shake the skillet well to mix everything for 1-2 minutes. 

Add in the apples and pears to fry for about 5-7 minutes over medium heat, turning several times. Add the apple juice and turn up the heat. Cook and reduce to a syrupy sauce.

Serve hot. Or cold.