Classic Poached Pears
Elevate your dessert game with this timeless recipe for Classic Poached Pears, a sophisticated treat that's as elegant as it is effortless. Delicate pears are gently simmered in a luxurious mixture of dry red wine, warm spices like cinnamon and star anise, fragrant vanilla bean, and a hint of zesty orange. The poaching liquid is reduced to a silky wine-infused syrup, perfect for drizzling over the tender fruit. Ready in under an hour, this visually stunning dish can be served warm or chilled, and pairs beautifully with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent finish. Perfect for dinner parties or an intimate dessert, this recipe combines simplicity with gourmet appeal, offering a divine blend of flavors that will impress every palate.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 medium Pears
- 750 ml Dry red wine
- 100 g Granulated sugar
- 1 whole Cinnamon stick
- 1 whole Vanilla bean
- 2 whole Star anise
- 1 strip Orange zest
- 250 ml Water
Instructions
Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. Trim the bottom of each pear slightly to allow them to stand upright if serving that way.
In a medium saucepan, combine the red wine, granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, orange zest, and water.
Split the vanilla bean lengthwise, scrape out the seeds with a knife, and add both the seeds and the bean to the saucepan.
Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer.
Carefully add the peeled pears to the saucepan. They should be submerged in the liquid; if not, turn them occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan partially, and let the pears simmer gently for about 25-30 minutes, or until tender. Test by inserting a knife into the thickest part of a pear; it should glide in easily.
Once the pears are tender, gently remove them from the poaching liquid using a slotted spoon and set them aside in a serving dish.
Increase the heat to medium-high and boil the liquid until it reduces by half and becomes syrupy, about 15 minutes.
Remove the cinnamon stick, star anise, and vanilla bean from the syrup. Discard these aromatics.
Pour the reduced syrup over the poached pears and let them cool to room temperature. You can serve them immediately, or cover and refrigerate them for up to 2 days to enhance the flavors.
Serve the poached pears at room temperature or chilled, drizzled with the wine syrup. Optionally, pair with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1266 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.7 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 56 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 177.9 g | 65% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 156.8 g | ||
| Protein | 1.2 g | 2% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 126 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 3.2 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 1066 mg | 23% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
