Ingredients

Serves 6

　　6 medium pears

　　1 cup water

　　2 1/2 cups sugar

　　2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla essence

　　3/4 cup rice

　　1 1/2 cups boiling water

　　2 cups milk

　　Pinch of salt

　　3 tablespoons butter

　　4 egg yolks, slightly beaten

　　Chopped candied fruit

　　Chopped pistachio nuts

　　1 cup heavy cream, whipped

　　

Step 1

Peel and halve the pears and remove the cores. Poach in a syrup made from 1 cup water, 2 cups sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until just tender. Drain.

　　

Step 2

Cover the rice with the boiling water. Let stand 12 minutes and drain. Scald milk and add the remaining sugar, salt, butter and remaining vanilla. Combine with the rice. Bake in a 350°F. oven for 30 minutes or until rice is soft. Remove from the oven and stir in slightly beaten egg yolks. Turn into a ring mold and chill.

　　

Step 3

To serve, unmold, arrange poached pears in the center. Decorate with the chopped fruit and nuts and serve with whipped cream.