Spiced Wine Poached Pears
Elevate your dessert game with these elegant Spiced Wine Poached Pears, a stunning combination of simplicity and sophistication. Perfectly ripe Bosc or Anjou pears are gently simmered in a luxurious bath of dry red wine infused with warm spices like cinnamon, star anise, and cloves, plus the bright zest of orange and aromatic vanilla. As the pears tenderize, they take on a deep, jewel-toned hue, while the spiced wine reduces into a velvety syrup. This impressive yet surprisingly easy dessert is ideal for entertaining or holiday gatherings, served warm or at room temperature with a drizzle of the syrup and optional dollops of whipped cream or mascarpone. A showstopping seasonal treat that’s naturally gluten-free and irresistibly flavorful.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Pears (firm and ripe, such as Bosc or Anjou)
- 750 ml Dry red wine
- 150 grams Granulated sugar
- 1 piece Cinnamon stick
- 2 pieces Star anise
- 4 pieces Cloves
- 1 piece Orange zest (from 1 orange)
- 1 piece Vanilla bean (split and seeds scraped)
- 250 ml Water
Instructions
Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. Slice a small portion off the bottom of each pear so they can stand upright if desired.
In a medium saucepan, combine the red wine, water, granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, orange zest, and vanilla bean (including seeds).
Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Once simmering, carefully place the peeled pears into the poaching liquid, ensuring they are fully submerged. If necessary, cover them with a piece of parchment paper or a small lid to keep them submerged.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the pears gently for 25-30 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a knife. Turn the pears occasionally to ensure even coloring and cooking.
When the pears are tender, carefully remove them from the poaching liquid and set them aside to cool slightly or to room temperature.
Increase the heat to medium-high and allow the poaching liquid to boil until it reduces to a thick, syrupy consistency, about 10-15 minutes.
To serve, plate the poached pears and drizzle with the reduced spiced wine syrup. Optionally, garnish with fresh whipped cream, mascarpone, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
650 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 2.9 g | 4% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.3 g | 2% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 32 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 163.1 g | 59% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.2 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 151.6 g | ||
| Protein | 2.6 g | 5% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 144 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 4.9 mg | 27% | |
| Potassium | 239 mg | 5% | |
*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.
