Shake up your banana bread recipe. Pears add natural sweetness and help keep the bread moist. Try Beurré Bosc pears for this recipe – their traditional pear shape and firmer texture makes them great for cooking, particularly poaching. Serves 10Preparation: 30 minutes Cooking: 1 hour Ingredients Larissa Takchi Caramelised Pears 5 pears, peeled and halved lengthwise1⁄4 cup brown sugar1.5 tbsp. orange juice3 tbsp. water2 tbsp. unsalted butter Bread 4 large eggs1 cup sugar1/3 cup olive oil1 cup plain flour1⁄2 cup whole meal flour2 tablespoons cocoa powder1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon baking soda1⁄4 teaspoon salt1⁄4 teaspoon ground cardamom1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon Method For caramelised pears pour water, orange juice, sugar and butter in a medium fry pan overmedium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved and the mixture is slightly reduced, about 5minutes.Add pears, cut side up. Cook about 3-4 minutes. Turn them over and cook just until slightlysoftened, about 4 minutes. Let them cool slightly.Line the bottom of a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Place the pears, cut side down inthe pan. Heat the remaining liquid in the frypan and pour it over the pears.For the pear bread, preheat oven to 180C.Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy about 5minutes. Add in olive oil and mix well.In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt,cardamom and cinnamon.Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture in 2 additions. Don’t over mix. Just use a handwhisk and whisk until everything is combined.Pour the batter over pears. Smooth the top.Bake until top is golden or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50minutes.Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes and serve – the bread will taste delicious with ricotta andhoney! Larissa Takchi is 2019's MasterChef winner who is known for her stunning and delicious desserts. For more ins-pear-ation visit AustralianPears.com.au https://womenlove.health/food/easy-meals/banana-bread-walnuts/
