Poached Pears for Babies and Toddlers

You know how it is, you've not had time to go to the shop, the fruitbowl is looking a little unexciting, there are virtually no grapes left, there is no yoghurt in the fridge and the pears are hard as bullets.

Well, here's an idea for something different to feed your little one for pudding.  It comes out beautifully soft for babies just starting on lumps but with the spice there's a lovely flavour to it too.  Any leftovers are great served as below with the syrup or would be tasty put into a crumble.

Poached Pears for Babies and Toddlers - serves 2 toddlers if they have an appetite like mine(!)

Ingredients

2 unripe pears
300ml unsweetened grape juice
half - 1 tsp cinnamon (I used 1 tsp which was fine for my little one but might be a bit much if you're not a cinnamon fan) or use a cinnamon stick
Cream to serve (optional)

Method

Peel the pears, using a potato peeler works well for this, halve them along the length and scoop out the cores.

Put the pears into the base of a slow cooker, pour over the grape juice and spice.

Cook on high for 2-3 hours or until softened to your liking.

For toddlers, just cut up the pieces and allow to feed with a spoon.  For babies, cut up into smaller pieces or mash depending on your baby's developmental stage.

For adults you could take out the pears and then boil the juice hard in a saucepan until it goes syrupy (it will thicken as it cools).  Serve with the syrup and cream.