There is a reason why this simple recipe has withstood the test of time. It is such a delicious way to end an elegant dinner.
Wine Poached Pears Recipe
Wine poached pears are a delightful and elegant dessert that's surprisingly easy to make. This recipe uses red wine, which infuses the pears with rich flavor and a beautiful hue.
Ingredients
Pears: 6 ripe but firm pears (Bosc or Anjou are recommended)
Red Wine: 2 cups (such as Pinot Noir or Merlot)
Honey: ¼ cup
Sugar: 3 tablespoons (granulated or raw)
Cinnamon Stick: 1
Ground Cardamom: ¼ teaspoon
Oranges: 2 large (zest and juice from one, sliced into rounds from the other)
Method
Prepare the Pears:
Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. To prevent browning, toss them in a bowl with the juice of one orange or lemon.
Make the Poaching Liquid:
In a large pot, combine the red wine, honey, sugar, orange slices, cinnamon stick, and ground cardamom. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
Poach the Pears:
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and gently add the pears and the remaining orange or lemon juice. Cover and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes, occasionally rotating the pears to ensure even cooking. The pears are done when a skewer can be inserted easily into their thickest part.
Cool and Store:
Remove the pears from the pot and place them upright in a bowl. Allow them to cool in their poaching liquid, which will thicken slightly as it cools.
Serve:
Serve the pears warm or chilled, drizzled with some of the reduced poaching liquid. They pair wonderfully with whipped cream, crème fraîche, or vanilla ice cream for added richness.
Tips
For added flavor complexity, consider including spices such as star anise or cloves in your poaching liquid.
These pears can be made a day in advance; they often taste better after sitting in the poaching liquid overnight as they absorb more flavo
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