Poached Pears Recipe
Poached Pears Recipe
Table of Contents
Poached Pears Recipe
Poached Pears Recipe is a simple yet elegant dessert that brings out the natural sweetness and flavor of the fruit. This poached pears recipe features tender, aromatic pears simmered in a fragrant spiced syrup, making it the perfect dish for any occasion. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or indulge in a comforting treat, these poached pears will surely delight your taste buds.
Description
Poached pears are an incredibly versatile dessert that can be served warm or chilled, depending on your preference. This classic poached pears recipe uses a combination of spices, such as cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves, to enhance the flavor of the pears as they simmer in a syrup made from wine, sugar, and water. The poaching process softens the pears, infusing them with the flavors of the syrup, resulting in a tender and fragrant dessert.
The beauty of poached pears lies in their simplicity. With just a few key ingredients, you can create a sophisticated and visually stunning dessert that feels indulgent yet light. It’s a wonderful choice for a dinner party, a holiday meal, or even a cozy weeknight dessert. You can customize the flavors by experimenting with different spices or adding a splash of liqueur like amaretto or brandy.
This poached pears recipe works with various types of pears, such as Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou. Each variety brings its own unique flavor and texture to the dish, but all of them work beautifully when poached. The resulting dessert pairs wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. It’s also a great addition to cheese boards, especially when paired with blue cheese or goat cheese.
Whether you’re serving poached pears as a light dessert after a hearty meal or as a show stopping centerpiece for a special occasion, this recipe is sure to please.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe pears (Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou)
- 2 cups red wine (or use white wine for a lighter flavor)
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- Zest of 1 orange (optional, for added citrus flavor)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to prevent browning of the pears)
Instructions
- Prepare the pears:
Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. Cut a small slice off the bottom of each pear so that they stand upright while poaching. Use a melon baller or a small knife to carefully remove the core from each pear, making sure to leave the shape intact. - Make the poaching liquid:
In a large saucepan, combine the red wine, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, vanilla bean (split open to release the seeds), orange zest, and lemon juice. Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. - Poach the pears:
Once the poaching liquid is simmering, gently lower the pears into the pot. Cover and let them simmer for about 20-30 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure they cook evenly. The pears are done when they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork. - Reduce the syrup (optional):
If you’d like a thicker syrup, remove the pears once they are done poaching, and let the liquid simmer uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until it thickens slightly. You can then strain the syrup to remove the spices if desired. - Serve:
Place the poached pears on serving plates, spoon some of the syrup over the top, and garnish with whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Wine Choice: You can choose to use red wine or white wine for poaching the pears. Red wine creates a rich, deeper flavor and results in a beautiful red hue on the pears, while white wine produces a lighter, more delicate taste.
- Spices: Feel free to experiment with the spices. Star anise, cardamom, or ginger can be added to create a unique twist on the flavor profile.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve poached pears with a side of whipped cream, crème fraîche, or vanilla ice cream. You can also drizzle some chocolate sauce or caramel sauce over the pears for added richness.
- Storage: Leftover poached pears can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat them gently in the syrup before serving.
- Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly: This poached pears recipe is naturally vegetarian and can be made vegan if you substitute the sugar with a plant based alternative.
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Poached Pears Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ripe pears Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou
- 2 cups red wine or use white wine for a lighter flavor
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange optional, for added citrus flavor
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice to prevent browning of the pears
Instructions
- Prepare the pears:
- Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. Cut a small slice off the bottom of each pear so that they stand upright while poaching. Use a melon baller or a small knife to carefully remove the core from each pear, making sure to leave the shape intact.
- Make the poaching liquid:
- In a large saucepan, combine the red wine, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, vanilla bean (split open to release the seeds), orange zest, and lemon juice. Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Poach the pears:
- Once the poaching liquid is simmering, gently lower the pears into the pot. Cover and let them simmer for about 20-30 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure they cook evenly. The pears are done when they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Reduce the syrup (optional):
- If you’d like a thicker syrup, remove the pears once they are done poaching, and let the liquid simmer uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until it thickens slightly. You can then strain the syrup to remove the spices if desired.
- Serve:
- Place the poached pears on serving plates, spoon some of the syrup over the top, and garnish with whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Wine Choice: You can choose to use red wine or white wine for poaching the pears. Red wine creates a rich, deeper flavor and results in a beautiful red hue on the pears, while white wine produces a lighter, more delicate taste.
- Spices: Feel free to experiment with the spices. Star anise, cardamom, or ginger can be added to create a unique twist on the flavor profile.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve poached pears with a side of whipped cream, crème fraîche, or vanilla ice cream. You can also drizzle some chocolate sauce or caramel sauce over the pears for added richness.
- Storage: Leftover poached pears can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat them gently in the syrup before serving.
- Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly: This poached pears recipe is naturally vegetarian and can be made vegan if you substitute the sugar with a plant based alternative.
