Spice Up Your Meal with Comice Pears in Red Wine
Imagine digging into a dessert that is sweet, spiced, and has a delectable aroma. The kind of dessert that warms you up even on the coldest nights. Well, look no further than our Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine recipe. This warming winter dessert is the perfect end to any meal, and it’s sure to become a new favorite.
Red wine-poached pears are a classic dessert, but our recipe takes it up a notch. We used Comice pears, which provide a perfect balance between juicy sweetness and tender texture. The warm spices that go into the poaching liquid – cinnamon stick, cloves, nutmeg – make your kitchen smell heavenly and add delightful flavor to the dish. And what’s more? You can easily make this dish ahead of time and serve it with a dollop of creme fraiche or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply treating yourself after a long day, our Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine recipe is an easy and elegant way to indulge your sweet tooth while also enjoying some delicious red wine.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you looking for a dessert recipe that is not only simple but also indulgent and delicious? Look no further than the Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine recipe! This sophisticated dessert boasts a perfect balance of flavors and is sure to impress your guests.
The Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine recipe creates a unique twist on the classic poached pears dish by incorporating warm spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in the poaching liquid. The poaching process infuses the pears with the spiced red wine resulting in tender, sweet, and aromatic pears that have an incredibly sophisticated flavor profile.
But what sets this recipe apart from other poached pear desserts is its versatility. You can serve these pears as a standalone dessert or use them as a topping for ice cream, cake or even savoury dishes. Additionally, you can store the leftover syrup and use it as a sauce for your favorite dishes later on.
The presentation of Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine is also stunning to look at. The deep crimson color of the poached pears against the white plate make for a truly festive display that is sure to wow your guests. Plus, you can easily switch up this recipe by using different types of pears if comice pears aren’t available.
Overall, get ready to impress your guests with this simple yet decadent dessert recipe that looks and tastes like it was created by a professional chef.
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients that you will need for this luscious recipe:
- 4 firm Anjou or Comice pears, peeled and cored
- 1 bottle dry red wine, such as a medium-bodied Pinot Noir or a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp red currant jelly
- 2 tbsp fresh orange zest
- Pinch of ground nutmeg and cloves
- Optional: scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
If you want to make this recipe with a bit of added complexity and depth, you can also try adding ports and brandy to the mix. Alternatively, if you prefer a more subtle flavor, keep it simple with white wine or reduce the number of spices used.
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have everything ready let’s dive into how to make this delicious Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine Recipe.
Step 1: Poaching the Pears
- In a pan large enough to hold all the pears, combine 2 bottles of medium-bodied dry red wine with 1 cinnamon stick, 2 cups of brown sugar, 1 cup of orange juice, and the zest of one orange.
- Add in the pears, making sure they are completely covered with the liquid.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for 25-30 minutes or until soft.
Step 2: Making the Wine Sauce
While the pears are poaching, prepare the wine sauce:
1. In another pan, combine 1 bottle of port wine with ½ cup of brandy and cook over medium heat until reduced by half.
2. Add in 6 tablespoons of red currant jelly and stir until it dissolves.
3. Remove from heat.
Step 3: Putting It All Together
- When the pears are done, remove them from heat and let cool down for a bit.
- Once cooled, thinly slice all 4 comice or forelle pears and arrange them on a plate or cake stand.
- Pour the wine sauce over them and top with raisins, if desired.
- Serve as is or with vanilla ice cream, cake, or chocolate cake for a delightful dessert.
Now you have your perfect poached spiced red wine pears recipe to impress anyone at your dinner parties!
Substitutions and Variations
The Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine recipe is incredibly versatile and can be modified to your preference. Here are some substitutions and variations you can try:
– Pears: While the recipe recommends using comice pears, you can also use anjou, bartlett, forelle, or any other firm and ripe variety of pears.
– Wine: You can use any red wine for this recipe. A full-bodied red wine works best, but you can also use a medium-bodied dry red or a dry red-white blend.
– Spices: You can experiment with different spices to create unique flavors. Try adding cardamom pods, ginger slices, or star anise to the poaching liquid.
– Additions: To add more depth to the dish, you can include raisins or dried cranberries in the poaching liquid.
– Serving options: Serve the poached pears with crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream for added sweetness. You could also pair it with a slice of chocolate cake for a delicious dessert.
By playing around with different ingredients and flavor combinations, you can make this recipe your own and impress your guests with your culinary creativity.
Serving and Pairing
These spiced wine-poached Comice pears are perfect for a fancy dinner party, a romantic date night, or even just a cozy night in. They pair beautifully with so many flavors, making them an extremely versatile dessert.
For a classic pairing, serve your poached pears with a dollop of creme fraiche or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The creamy textures will balance out the warm spices and the sweetness of the pears.
For a chocolate lover’s dream, serve these poached spiced pears alongside a rich and decadent chocolate cake. The deep red wine sauce will complement the chocolate perfectly, making for an indulgent dessert experience.
If you’re looking for something more fruity, consider serving these pears with a cheese board featuring some of your favorite artisanal cheeses. The subtle spice of the pears will provide the perfect contrast to the creamy and savory cheeses.
Of course, one can’t forget about wine pairings! These wine-poached pears make the perfect accompaniment to a glass of full-bodied red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. If you prefer lighter-bodied wines, consider pairing with Pinot Noir or Merlot to keep things balanced.
In conclusion, the possibilities are endless when it comes to serving and pairing these delightful Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
This Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. In fact, it’s even better after a day or two as the flavors have more time to meld together.
To store, let the poached pears cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container with the spiced red wine sauce. The pears will continue to absorb more flavors as they sit in the liquid. For reheating, simply warm them up in a small saucepan over low heat until heated through.
If you have any leftovers, this Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine dish makes for an excellent topping for dessert recipes such as cake or ice cream. The spiced red wine sauce can also be used as a fruit topping or as a glaze for meats like pork or chicken. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll have any leftovers because this delicious dessert is so irresistible!
Tips for Perfect Results
To achieve the perfect poached spiced wine pears, I have some useful tips that could come in handy. The first thing you want to do is make sure you use the right type of pear. The ideal variety for this recipe is the Comice pear as it holds its shape well and the flesh becomes tender when poached.
Another important factor to consider is the type of wine you use. For the best results, it’s recommended to use a full-bodied or medium-bodied dry red wine. You could also try combining red and white wine for added complexity.
When simmering the pears in the wine mixture, ensure that you don’t let the liquid boil but instead keep it at a gentle simmer. This helps to retain the flavor and texture of the pears while ensuring they are fully cooked.
To add an extra layer of flavor, you could also include orange zest, ground nutmeg or cloves, and a cinnamon stick. However, be careful not to add too much spice as this could overpower the delicate flavor of the pears.
Lastly, allow the pears to cool in their poaching liquid before transferring them to their serving dish or storage container. This ensures that they soak up all the flavorful spices from the poaching liquid and remain juicy and succulent.
By following these tips, you will be able to create an impressive dessert that looks just as good as it tastes. Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche or alongside a slice of chocolate cake and ice cream for an extra special treat.
FAQ
Now that you know the recipe how-to and variations, you might have some questions about this exciting Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine Recipe. Here are some commonly asked questions (FAQs) to clarify any doubts you may have.
What can you use Comice pears for?
The versatile Comice pears can serve many culinary purposes. They can be canned, incorporated into baked goods like rugelach, or blended with green tea and honey for a granita to be served over ice cream. For a more sophisticated flavor, they can be cooked in a compote with earl grey and vanilla. Not just limited to desserts, Comice pears can also enhance cocktails, bringing zest to a spicy concoction.
What spices pair well with pears?
A plethora of flavors can be combined with wine to create a unique and delightful dining experience. Among these flavors are different kinds of herbs and spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. Almonds, caramel, chocolate, hazelnuts, and honey are some other ingredients that can be used to bring diverse tastes and aromas to the wine. Additionally, various types of oil, including vanilla extract, can enhance a wine’s flavor. Brandy and both red and white wine can also be used to create a delightful combination of flavors with different ingredients.
What pears are best for mulling?
A dessert that I find to be both stunning and multi-layered in taste is the mulled wine poached pears. It offers a balance between sweet and intricate flavors that don’t overwhelm the palate. When I make this dessert, I prefer to use Bosc pears, although it’s possible to use any variety of pear that isn’t overly soft.
What enhances the flavor of pears?
When it comes to complementing the taste of pear, ginger is a go-to spice that never fails. Other great options include nutmeg and allspice. If you’re looking to indulge in a tasty treat bursting with flavor, you can try pairing poached pears with some creamy yogurt – a delightful combination that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this wine-poached Comice pear recipe with spiced red wine is a must-try for dessert lovers and wine enthusiasts alike. This recipe is so versatile and flavored that it will delightfully pair well with a wide range of dishes, including chocolate cake, ice cream, or even alone as an indulgent treat.
With the right ingredients and cooking techniques, this delicious dessert can be easily made at home. The combination of red wine infused with cinnamon stick, cloves, and nutmeg adds a delightful element to these pears that will have your taste buds wanting more. A touch of orange zest and white sugar also enhances the flavor profile of the dessert.
What’s more, substituting the Comice pears with forelle pears, Anjou pears or Bartlett pears adds variety to this recipe. So why not try experimenting with different types of sweet fruit?
In this recipe, the option to use full-bodied, medium-bodied or dry red wines shines a spotlight on their versatility in pairing well with different food styles.
So whether you’re looking to make an irresistible dessert to serve at a dinner party or just want to savor some delicious fruits poached in red wine on any ordinary occasion, this Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine Recipe is definitely worth a try!
Comice Pears in Spicy Red Wine Recipe
Ingredients
- 625 ml full-bodied red wine
- 125 ml port wine
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 2 pieces thin orange zest
- 2 tablespoons red currant jelly
- 200 g brown sugar
- 6 pears
- 150 ml clotted cream or 150 ml creme fraiche
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 150°C/gas
- Put all the ingredients except the pears and cream into a heatproof casserole with a close-fitting lid. Bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, peel the pears, leaving the stalks intact, and add to the poaching liquid. Cover, and then put in the oven for 1½-2 hours depending on the ripeness and size of the pears. (If making ahead, leave to cool, then chill for 1-2 days.)
- To serve, remove the pears to a serving plate, place the casserole back on the heat, and reduce the liquid until it reaches a syrupy consistency,(you can add some arrowroot at this stage if desired). Strain it over the pears, which should now look glossy and red.
- Serve with the clotted cream or the orange zest flavoured Crème Fraiche.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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