In a pan add sugar and water and warm the water. Add the spices and let the liquid come to a boil.
Meanwhile, fold the parchment paper in quarters. Measure the size of your pan and cut the paper at an angle. So that you have a circle. Snip off the centre.
Lower the flame Add the pears and then cover it with the parchment paper.
On low flame let the pears simmer until cooked. Depending on the pears This will need about 20-25 minutes.
Get the pan off the stove and discard the paper. Remove the pears to a bowl and let continue to heat the liquid on low flame till you get a thick syrup you like. Easily another 15 minutes.
Once the syrup is done add the pears to the syrup.
You can at this point add raisins, cranberries etc to the liquid as it is still warm. I did not as I have used saffron and cardamom.
Serve the pears warm or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, Cake.