Fresh Pear En Papillote with Vanilla and Cardamom
Delight your taste buds with the elegant simplicity of Fresh Pear En Papillote with Vanilla and Cardamom—a dessert that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious. This recipe features ripe yet firm pears gently baked in parchment paper to lock in their natural juices and infuse them with the warming flavors of ground cardamom, a hint of orange zest, and aromatic vanilla. Lightly drizzled with honey (or maple syrup for a vegan twist) and optionally enriched with a pat of butter, these tender pears are steamed to perfection in their own syrupy sauce. Elevate the dish with a crunch of pistachios or almonds and serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A quick 10-minute prep time and an effortless “en papillote” cooking technique make this indulgent dessert ideal for entertaining or an upscale end to a cozy dinner.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pieces Pears (ripe but firm)
- 1 piece Vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground cardamom
- 2 tablespoons Honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter (optional, for richness)
- 1 teaspoon Orange zest
- 2 tablespoons Fresh orange juice
- 2 sheets Parchment paper (or aluminum foil)
- 2 tablespoons Optional garnish: chopped pistachios or slivered almonds
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cut the parchment paper into two large squares, approximately 12 inches by 12 inches each.
Wash, peel, and halve the pears. Remove the core using a spoon or melon baller, and trim the stem if desired.
If using a vanilla bean, slice it lengthwise and gently scrape out the seeds using the back of a knife. If using extract, it will be added later.
To assemble each papillote, place a pear half cut-side down in the center of a square of parchment.
Drizzle 1 tablespoon of honey over each pear half and sprinkle evenly with 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom and a pinch of orange zest.
Add a splash (about 1 tablespoon) of fresh orange juice over each pear. If using vanilla extract, drizzle 1/2 teaspoon per pear half; if using vanilla seeds, distribute them evenly over the pear halves.
If desired, place a small pat of butter (about 1/2 tablespoon) onto each pear for added richness.
Fold the parchment paper by bringing two opposite edges together over the pear, folding them down tightly to seal. Tuck the remaining edges underneath to form an enclosed packet.
Place the packets on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until the pears are tender when pierced with a fork.
Carefully open the packets (watch for escaping steam) and transfer each pear half to a serving plate.
Garnish with chopped pistachios or slivered almonds for added crunch, if desired. Serve immediately, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
272 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 9.4 g | 12% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.0 g | 20% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 16 mg | 5% | |
| Sodium | 4 mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 48.7 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.3 g | 26% | |
| Total Sugars | 36.0 g | ||
| Protein | 2.6 g | 5% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 32 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 0.7 mg | 4% | |
| Potassium | 329 mg | 7% | |
*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.
