Korean Pears Steamed with Jasmine and Honey

Serves 4

Ingredients:

3/4 cup/70 g Chinese jujube (dried Chinese red dates)
1/4 cup/85 ml plus 2 tablespoons/40 ml honey
1 teabag of jasmine tea
4 small or 2 large Korean (Asian) pears, cut into 1/2-inch-/1.3-cm-thick wedges, and cored

Method:

Place 4 cups/1 liter of water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over high heat. Place the dates in a large bowl. Carefully pour the simmering water over the dates.

Allow the dates to soak for 30 minutes or until they soften. Drain the soaking liquid. Remove any stones or pits from the dates and slice the dates into rounds.

Combine the dates and 1/4 cup/85 ml of the honey in a small saucepan and stir to coat. Set aside while you prepare the pears. Place 2 cups/½ liter of water in a wok. Add the teabag and bring to a boil over moderate to high heat.

Arrange the pear wedges over a bamboo steamer basket and place the basket in the wok over the boiling jasmine water. Drizzle 1 tablespoon/20 ml of honey over the pear wedges. Cover with the steamer lid and steam the pears for about 12 minutes or until they are crisp-tender.

While the pears cook, place the date mixture over moderate heat and stir for 5 minutes or until the mixture is warm and the honey coats the dates. Remove the steamer basket from the wok.

Arrange the pear wedges decoratively over 4 serving plates, dividing equally. Spoon the date mixture atop the pear wedges. Drizzle the pears with the remaining 1 tablespoon/20 ml of honey and serve immediately.