Indulge in Delightful Poached Pears in Wine Sauce
Indulge in the perfect dessert treat with this delectable Poached Pears in Wine Sauce recipe. Nothing hits the mark like a succulent, juicy pear poached to perfection in red wine and cinnamon. With its elegant look and rich flavors, this dish is the perfect dessert option for those special occasions or when you’d like a touch of luxury in your everyday meals.
The combination of spices such as cinnamon, ground cloves, and allspice give the poached pears a warm and cozy flavor that will leave you feeling satisfied. And the sauce made out of reduced burgundy wine, red currant jelly, and sugar soaks just the right amount into the fruit tantalizing your taste buds with its sweetness.
This recipe is simple to follow, taking only about 40 minutes from start to finish. So, whether you’re a seasoned chef or an inexperienced cook, it’s guaranteed to produce perfect results every time.
Not only is this dessert easy to make but it’s also versatile. You can serve it with ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream or even pair it with dark chocolate sauce or crème anglaise for an elevated dining experience.
Get ready to impress your guests or treat yourself with this flavorful recipe that’s sure to please everyone who takes a bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you are looking for a dessert recipe that is both comforting and sophisticated, look no further than these wine-poached pears in Burgundy wine sauce. This recipe is a true gem that brings together a perfect combination of spices and wine that will take your taste buds on a journey you won’t soon forget.
What’s so great about this recipe is its simplicity. With only a handful of ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, it’s an effortless way to make an elegant dessert that will impress your guests or elevate any occasion. But don’t be fooled by its simplicity; the flavors in this dish are wonderfully complex.
The recipe calls for spices like cinnamon, allspice, and cloves which are perfectly balanced with the sweetness of red currant jelly, sugar, and orange juice. The Burgundy wine adds depth and complexity to the poached pears which are tender and deliciously infused with notes of vanilla bean and lemon juice.
But what truly sets this dish apart is its versatility. You can serve it as is with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream, or dress it up by adding a drizzle of chocolate sauce or crème anglaise. It pairs beautifully with mulled wine or even just a glass of port or dessert wine.
Moreover, the beautiful presentation of the pears along with their amazing taste makes them perfect for any holiday or special family gathering. The recipe not only provides comfort but also awakens your senses to the goodness and beauty of life.
In short, you’ll love this recipe because it’s easy to make yet impressive, versatile yet flavorful, comforting yet sophisticated, and most importantly because it’s bound to bring people together around something warm, sweet, and delicious.
Ingredient List
- 4 Bosc pears, ripe but still firm
- 2 cups dry red wine such as Burgundy or spiced red wine
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3-4 star anise
- 2 strips orange peel
- Juice of 1 orange
- 1 vanilla bean or 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Red currant jelly, optional
The list of ingredients to make these delicious poached pears in a red wine sauce is simple and straightforward. It mainly consists of Bosc pears, dry red wine, sugar, and flavorful spices likes cinnamon, star anise, orange peel or lemon juice. Additionally, vanilla bean or ground cinnamon can be used to enhance the flavor of the poached pears. The recipe calls for Burgundy red wine or spiced red wine, both are great options for this recipe. Red currant jelly is optional but can be added to the sauce to give it a more tart taste. All of these combine perfectly together to create a tender and delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion!
The Recipe How-To
Ingredients:
- 4 large Bosc pears, peeled and cored
- 2 cups of red wine (spiced red wine or dry red wine)
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red currant jelly
Instructions:
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In a medium saucepan, combine the wine, sugar, orange juice, cinnamon stick, ground cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
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Reduce the heat to low and add the peeled and cored pears to the saucepan. Make sure the pears are fully submerged in the poaching liquid.
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Cover the saucepan and simmer for about 25 minutes or until the pears are tender.
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Once cooked through, carefully remove the pears from the poaching liquid with a slotted spoon and place them on a dish.
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Strain the poaching liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into another saucepan. Discard any solids left in the strainer.
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Add the red currant jelly to the poaching liquid and stir until it’s melted.
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Bring the poaching liquid to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes, or until it has reduced by half and thickened to a syrupy consistency.
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Pour the wine sauce over the poached pears and serve immediately.
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Enjoy your delicious Red Wine Poached Pears!
Substitutions and Variations
There are many delicious substitutions and variations you can make to this poached pears in wine sauce recipe. For example, if you don’t have Burgundy wine on hand, try using a different type of red wine such as a Merlot or Zinfandel. White wine can also be used to poach pears as well, which is especially great for creating a lighter dessert option.
To add a bit of extra flavor to the poaching liquid, try adding in a cinnamon stick, star anise, or even some fresh ginger. Cloves and allspice can also be used in addition to cinnamon to create a spiced red wine poaching liquid.
For those who want to add some sweetness to the sauce, substitute red currant jelly with honey, maple syrup or agave nectar.
And for serving options in addition to the recipe suggested garnishes and toppings like chocolate sauce, crème anglaise or whipped cream, you can try serving the poached pears with some vanilla bean ice cream or use them as a topping for pancakes or waffles. Overall, these variations and substitutions will help you customize your poached pear dessert recipe however you like!
Serving and Pairing
These wine-poached pears are an elegant dessert that can be served on their own or paired with other complementary flavors. The red wine sauce is a perfect complement to the fruity sweetness of the poached pears, enhanced by notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and citrus.
One great option is to serve these poached pears with a dollop of crème anglaise or whipped cream on top. The creamy texture and subtle sweetness of these toppings contrast beautifully with the rich, spiced red wine sauce. Another delicious pairing would be serving these poached pears alongside ice cream, which adds a cool and creamy counterpoint to the warm poached fruit.
If you’re looking to offer a more complex plate, consider pairing them with dark chocolate sauce, as it matches well with the flavors from the spiced red wine. Alternatively, red currant jelly can also be used in place of the sugar- for a beautiful jewel garnish- or as itself for it’s slight tartness makes for another delicious complement to this dessert.
For a lighter option, combine white wine, orange juice, lemon peel along with white sugar to create a white-wine poaching liquid. Using this liquid would result in slightly less-rich dessert; still making a great finish after any meal.
In summary, this recipe for wine-poached pears is incredibly versatile and can easily be customized to suit your preferences. Whether you prefer decadent accompaniments like chocolate or crème anglaise or lighter options like fruit or dairy-free desserts, these poached pears will make for an impressive and irresistible finale to any meal.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Poached pears in wine sauce is a perfect dessert that can be served any time of the year. If you’re planning to entertain, you can make-ahead this dessert ahead of time and store it in your refrigerator for up to two days.
To store, place the poached pears and sauce in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. When reheating, gently warm them in a saucepan over low heat until heated through but not boiling, so as not to cook the pears any further.
If you have leftovers or made a large batch, you can also freeze the poached pears and wine sauce for later use. To do so, let the dish cool down and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. You can keep it in the freezer for up to two months.
When ready to serve, thaw the poached pears with wine sauce in the refrigerator or by placing it on your kitchen counter for 30 minutes before reheating.
Whether you are making this dish ahead of time or storing leftovers, I suggest transferring the pears and sauce to an elegant serving dish before topping it off with chocolate sauce or whipped cream. It’s sure to please your guest with its delicious flavors and sophisticated look.
Tips for Perfect Results
Getting the perfect poached pears with wine sauce can be tricky for some. However, here are some tips that will help you get that luscious and divine texture for your pears.
1. Choose the right type of pear
Bosc pears are often used because they hold their shape well during the poaching process. They have a firm texture and a sweet taste, which makes them perfect for this recipe.
2. Peel the pears carefully
When peeling the pears, use a vegetable peeler and be careful not to nick or peel off too much of the flesh. The shape of the pear should remain as intact as possible, so it doesn’t fall apart during cooking.
3. Use quality spices
The key to making delicious poached pears is in using quality spices. Ground cinnamon, cloves, and allspice are essential ingredients in this recipe. Make sure to use fresh ground spices since stale spices can make your recipe taste bitter.
4. Use wine with high tannin content
Red wines like Burgundy wine are often used in this recipe because they have high tannin content. This characteristic lends a pleasant flavor to the poached pears and balances the sweetness of the fruit.
5. Cook at a low temperature
When poaching the pears, bring them slowly to a boil before reducing the heat and allowing them to simmer gently for about 20 minutes, or until tender but firm.
6. Infuse flavors into the sauce
To intensify the flavors of your wine sauce, add orange peel, star anise, or vanilla bean to the poaching liquid. Also, stir in sugar or lemon juice if you need to adjust its sweet or sourness levels.
By following these tips, you can make the perfect poached pears with wine sauce that everyone will rave about. Serve it up with ice cream, chocolate sauce or crème Anglaise, and watch your guests marvel at how much you’ve nailed the art of poaching fruit.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, poached pears in wine sauce is a delightful dessert that is sure to impress your guests. It’s easy to make with just a few ingredients, and the sophisticated flavors will have everyone wanting more. The poached pears are beautifully tender, and the wine sauce adds a depth of flavor that is both sweet and fragrant.
If you’re looking for a way to showcase your culinary skills, or if you just want to treat yourself to something special, then try this recipe today. With its wide range of possible variations – from spiced red wine to white wine poached pears – there’s no limit to the ways in which you can enjoy this delicious dessert.
So why not add poached pears in wine sauce to your repertoire of signature dishes today? It’s simple, elegant, and absolutely delicious. Whether served as a standalone dessert or accompanied by chocolate sauce, crème anglaise, or ice cream, this dish is sure to delight anyone who tries it. Give it a try now and see for yourself just how amazing it can be!
Poached Pears in Wine Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Burgundy wine
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 3 tablespoons red currant jelly
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
- 4 firm fresh Bartlett pears
Instructions
- Peel, halve, and core the pears.
- Combine all other ingredients in a saucepan, stir, and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, add pears, and cover.
- Simmer for approximately 10 minutes (until pears are tender), turning pears often.
- Let pears cool slightly in pan.
- Transfer pears to a serving dish and spoon the poaching liquid over.
- Serve warm or chilled.