Ouzo Spiced Pears Wrapped in Puff Pastry
Elevate your dessert game with these Ouzo Spiced Pears Wrapped in Puff Pastry, a show-stopping treat that combines elegance and bold flavors. Juicy, tender pears are gently poached in a fragrant bath of ouzo, cinnamon, star anise, and vanilla, infusing them with warm, aromatic notes. Each pear is then delicately wrapped in golden, flaky puff pastry, creating a stunning presentation that's as delicious as it is eye-catching. Perfect for special occasions or dinner parties, this recipe balances the sweetness of the pears with the subtle aniseed flavor of ouzo for a sophisticated finish. Serve with a drizzle of the luscious reduced poaching syrup for an added touch of indulgence. Whether you're impressing guests or treating yourself, this dessert is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 whole Pears (firm, ripe)
- 120 ml Ouzo (anise-flavored liqueur)
- 500 ml Water
- 100 g Granulated sugar
- 1 piece Cinnamon stick
- 2 pieces Star anise
- 1 piece Vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 sheet Store-bought puff pastry
- 1 whole Egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp All-purpose flour (for dusting)
Instructions
Peel the pears, keeping the stems intact. Trim the base of each pear slightly so it can stand upright.
In a medium saucepan, combine the ouzo, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, vanilla bean (split and seeds scraped), and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Carefully add the pears to the poaching liquid. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the pears are tender when pierced with a knife. Turn the pears occasionally for even poaching.
Remove the pears from the poaching liquid and let them cool to room temperature. Optionally, reduce the poaching liquid over low heat to create a syrup for drizzling later.
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Dust your work surface with a small amount of flour and roll out the puff pastry sheet if necessary. Cut the puff pastry into 4 equal strips.
Wrap each poached pear with a strip of puff pastry, starting at the base and spiraling up to the top. Make sure to slightly overlap the edges to seal the pastry. Trim any excess pastry at the top.
Place the wrapped pears upright on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the puff pastry with the beaten egg to ensure a golden, shiny finish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and flaky.
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Drizzle with the reduced poaching syrup if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
507 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 12.8 g | 16% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.3 g | 16% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 47 mg | 16% | |
| Sodium | 158 mg | 7% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 78.3 g | 28% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.8 g | 28% | |
| Total Sugars | 51.1 g | ||
| Protein | 4.5 g | 9% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 53 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 277 mg | 6% | |
*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.
