Chai Poached Pears with Spicy Orange-Habanero Sauce and Homemade Granola
[Vegan]

For the Vegan Orange-Habanero Sauce:

1. In a small saucepan on medium heat, mix together ½ cup of the brown sugar, vegan honey, habanero flakes, juice and zest of an orange, cloves, ½ tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Once it starts to boil reduce to a very low simmer.
2. After about 5-10 minutes, take off the heat. Allow honey to cool for at about 10 minutes.

For the Granola:

1. Meanwhile place ¾ cup of walnuts, ¾ cup pecans, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 ½ tsp cinnamon, and pinch of salt in a food processor. Pulse for 15-20 seconds until it finely ground.
2. Melt the coconut oil in a skillet heated to medium-high. Add remaining walnuts and the oats, then toast stirring frequently for one minute.
3. Add the ground nut mixture and mix until combined. Allow to toast until the sugar begins to melt. Stir in the vanilla and the honey. Remove from heat and allow to cool in the skillet, mixing a couple times as it cools.
4. Take the Orange Habanero Honey drizzle off the heat. Allow vegan honey to cool for about 10 minutes.

For the Poached Pears:

1. Cut the pears in half length wise, then remove the seeds and core with a small spoon.
2. Meanwhile, bring water to a boil. Add tea bags and let brew for 8 mins. Remove tea bags and discard. Add ¼ cup brown sugar and stir.
3. Add pears to boiling tea/water, reduce heat and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Gently rotate pears with a spoon(pears will be soft – you don't want to puncture the skin) and continue to simmer another 15 minutes. For a stronger spice flavour, leave pears soaking for another 10-15 minutes with the heat off.