Ingredients
To serve
Poached pears
Method
1.Place the bread and nuts in a food processor and pulse until fine breadcrumbs form.
2.Transfer to a large frying pan and drizzle over the honey and sprinkle with mixed spice. Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring until nut mixture is toasted and starting to caramelise. Remove from the pan to a plate and cool.
3.Mix the nut mixture and orange zest through the semi-thawed ice cream then return to the freezer for at least 4 hours or until frozen and scoopable.
4.To serve, decorate plates with chopped nuts, dates and crystallised ginger then add a warm poached pear (see recipe, below) and a scoop of nutty ice cream. Drizzle with reduced pear syrup, garnish with thyme sprigs and serve with a biscuit.
Poached pears
5.Combine the sugar, water, wine, cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer.
6.Meanwhile, peel pears (leave stalks on) and remove core from each base with a narrow teaspoon or apple corer. Trim bases slightly so pears will stand upright.
7.Add pears to the spiced syrup and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until tender but not soft. Remove pears and cover to keep warm. Boil syrup until reduced by at least half and syrupy.
