Spiced poached pears
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
 
Spiced poached pears make for a perfect simple winter dessert!
Ingredients
  • 2 ripe but firm Bartlett pears
  • 2 cups dry red wine
  • half a cup of honey (amber or medium dark)
  • half a cup of orange juice
  • 2 long strips orange zest
  • half a teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • half a teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • optional: half a teaspoon vanilla bean powder, if you have it
Instructions
  1. Peel the pears neatly, leaving the stem on. Trim the bottom of the fruit so that each pear can stand up straight and steady.
  2. Bring all of the other ingredients to a boil in deep saucepan, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Place pears into the saucepan - if they can stand up, that's great, if not, just lay them on the side and remember to turn them every five minutes or so. Cover pan with lid and cook for approximately 15 to 20 minutes until pears are cooked through, but still hold a firm body. A good test: you should be able to slice them like room temperature butter.
  4. Take the pan off the heat. Remove pears from the liquid and chill for at least a few hours (or longer) before serving.
  5. Cook down/reduce the poaching liquid into a syrup by cooking it and stirring occasionally on medium heat for another 20-25 minutes. Remember that the liquid will thicken more as it cools!
  6. Serve pears cold, drizzled with syrup or with ice cream.
Recipe by Saffron and Honey at https://saffronandhoney.com/spiced-poached-pears/