Orange and Pear Pavlova (TM5)

Pavlova

• 230 g sugar
• 30 g cornflour
• 4 egg whites, from medium eggs, at room temperature
• 1 pinch fine sea salt
• ½ tsp cream of tartar
• 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Steamed Pears

• 250 g pears, ripe but firm, unpeeled, halved vertically
• 300 g water
• 2 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 20 g caster sugar
• 1 orange, large, freshly squeezed juice only

Assembly

• 400 g whipping cream, cold (see tip)
  or double cream, cold (see tip)
• 1 - 2 Tbsp flaked almonds, toasted, to taste
• 1 Tbsp chocolate shavings (dark)