Poached Pear Melba Napoleon in a Puff Pastry

Serves 8

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, cut into a circle, 3-inch diameter, 8 pieces.
• 4 pieces of fresh pear, not too ripe
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 6 cloves
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• pinch salt
• 1 cup fresh raspberry
• 1 cup guava juice concentrate
• 8 scoops vanilla ice cream

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350-375 degrees, then bake puff pastry for about 7 minutes or until the puff pastry rises to a golden brown. Let it cool then cut in half, sideways, and set aside.
2. Peel and cut pears in half from top to bottom; take out the seed (you may hold it in lemon water to keep from oxidizing).
3. In a pot, add water, sugar, cinnamon stick, clove and a pinch of salt; bring it to a boil. Add pears and cover with a plate to hold the pears under the liquid. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, depending on how ripe the pear is, or until the pears are soft and tender.
4. In a food processor, add fresh raspberry and guava juice, then blend until sauce is smooth.
5. To plate the pear Melba, plate one piece of puff pastry, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and poached pear, then pour the raspberry sauce on pear and top with another piece of puff pastry.