Delicious Poached Pear Recipe for Elegant Desserts
My dear culinary enthusiasts, may I present to you a delectable treat that will surely take your taste buds on an unforgettable journey. This recipe for poached pears with wine sauce is a perfect combination of fruity, tangy and spiced flavors that create a harmonious melody in your mouth.
Imagine, the soft texture of perfectly poached bosc pears soaked in a flavorful red wine syrup, infused with cinnamon and vanilla essence. Every bite is a burst of succulent sweetness from the fruit combined with the boldness of the spiced red wine.
But wait, there’s more! This dish is not only tantalizing to your taste buds but also aesthetically pleasing to your eyes. The deep ruby-red color of the sauce, paired with the pale white pear adds richness and elegance to any table setting.
Whether you choose to use this recipe as an impressive dessert after dinner or as a beautiful addition to your brunch spread, one thing is for sure – this wine-poached pear recipe will leave your guests asking for more! So, with that said, let’s dive right into the ingredients and get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Dear food lovers,
Allow me to introduce you to a recipe that will elevate your taste buds and take them on a remarkable culinary journey. If you are a fan of decadent desserts, you’ll absolutely fall head over heels for these wine-poached pears.
Picture this: crisp bosc pears poached in spiced red wine, infused with aromatic cinnamon, vanilla extract, and orange juice. The texture of the pears is soft and juicy, every bite filled with sweet and tangy flavors that mingle in your mouth.
But wait, it gets better! The poaching liquid is reduced into a syrupy wine sauce, perfect for drizzling over the pears, ice cream, or any dessert of your choice. Trust me; the aroma itself is enough to make your mouth water!
What makes this recipe so perfect is its versatility – the poached pears can be served warm or chilled, making it an all-year-round delight. You’ll love the fact that it’s also an easy-to-make recipe that takes only 20 minutes to cook.
If you’re looking for a dessert to impress your guests or simply craving something indulgent for yourself, this recipe is undoubtedly the one to try. Don’t just take my word for it! Indulge yourself in this heavenly concoction of spiced red wine poached pears and experience pure gastronomic bliss. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with this recipe like I have!
Sincerely,
A foodie at heart
Ingredient List
Let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need to create this delightful poached pears with wine sauce recipe. Here’s what you will need:
- 4 Bosc Pears: You can’t make poached pears without the all-important pears! Bosc pears work best because they hold their shape after being cooked.
- 2 cups Red Wine: The wine adds flavor and depth to the pears. Use a full-bodied red wine for the best results.
- 1 cup Water: You’ll need water to help cook the pears and thin out the wine sauce.
- 1 cup Sugar: Granulated sugar is used to add sweetness to both the poached pears and the wine sauce.
- 1/3 cup Orange Juice: The acidic tang of orange juice helps balance out the sweetness of the sugar and gives an extra boost of flavor.
- 1/4 cup Lemon Juice: Lemon juice brings a tart, refreshing taste to the poached pears and helps keep them from turning brown.
- 1 Vanilla Bean: This fragrant ingredient gives a beautiful vanilla flavor to the poached pears and adds those characteristic black specks which are much more visually pleasing than vanilla extract would be!
- 1 Cinnamon Stick: The cinnamon is an essential spice used in almost every recipe that includes warm spices for heightened aromatics and complexity of flavor.
- 1 strip Orange Peel: Adding a strip of orange peel will intensify the fruity notes of this dish while balancing out any bitter or sour tones.
- Zest of 1 Lemon
- Zest of 1 Orange
- 2 Star Anise Pods
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons of water: This mixture thickens up for syrupy consistency wine sauce after the poaching process finishes.
Everything on this list is super easy to find and will create complex flavors that are perfect for a warm dessert on a cold night!
The Recipe How-To
First, I will gather all the ingredients that we will need for this recipe. I will need bosc pears, water, red wine, sugar, spices (cinnamon stick, orange peel, lemon zest, and star anise), vanilla extract and cornstarch.
Then, I will prepare the pears by peeling them but leaving the stems on. I will also core them from the bottom using a sharp knife or a melon scooper.
Step 2: Make Spiced Red Wine
In a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, I will combine 2 cups red wine, 1 cup sugar, and the zest of 1 lemon, and the zest of 1 orange peel, plus one cinnamon stick. I will bring this mixture to a boil then reduce to simmer for about 5 minutes until all the sugar is dissolved.
Step 3: Poach Pears
Once the spiced wine is ready, I will add the peeled and cored pears to it. Then, I will turn up the heat to bring it back to a boil then reduce it down to simmer. I will let it cook allowing the flavors to blend together completely for about 20 to 30 minutes or until the pears are completely soft but not mushy.
Step 4: Create Wine Sauce
While waiting for the pears to cook, in a separate saucepan over medium heat, I will combine 1 cup of water with some additional sugar (to taste), then mix in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with two tablespoons of water. Next, I’ll add in 1/2 cup of red wine, slice open one vanilla bean pod lengthwise and scrape out seeds; adding both to form a syrup. When this mixture comes to a boil & thickens slightly (for approximately 5 minutes), I will remove from heat and let cool.
Step 5: Serve
Once the poached pears are ready, I will use a slotted spoon to take them out of the spiced wine mixture and place them on a serving dish. Then, I will drizzle the red wine sauce over the top of each pear. This pear dessert can be served warm or cold, with mascarpone or crème anglaise. It could also be paired with dark chocolate sauce, fruit, ice cream, whipped cream or mulled wine.
Step 6: Enjoy!
And lastly, do not forget to dive in and enjoy these wine-poached pears with family or friends. Buen provecho!
Substitutions and Variations
Oh, the marvelous opportunities for substitutions and variations that this elegant recipe presents! You can get creative and replace some of the ingredients while still achieving a breathtaking result. Here are some ideas:
– Pears: Bosc pears are the best choice for poaching because they are firm and keep their shape during cooking. However, you can use other varieties such as Anjou, Bartlett or Comice. The ripeness of the pears will affect the cooking time, so adjust accordingly.
– Wine: While red wine is the classic choice for poached pears, you can use white wine for a different flavor profile. A spiced white wine with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves would be lovely. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, try using port or sherry instead.
– Spices: Cinnamon stick and vanilla bean are crucial ingredients for infusing the wine with flavor, but you can also add other spices such as star anise, cardamom pods, or ginger slices. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite.
– Sugar: The amount of sugar in the recipe can be adjusted to your taste. Use less sugar if your wine is already sweet, or more if you like a syrupy consistency. You can also substitute honey, maple syrup or agave nectar for white sugar.
– Orange juice and zest: These ingredients add a citrusy note to the sauce that balances the richness of the wine. You can use lemon juice and zest instead for a sharper flavor or omit them altogether if you prefer.
– Serving suggestions: Poached pears are versatile and go well with many accompaniments. Serve them with dark chocolate sauce or crème anglaise for a decadent dessert. Top them with mascarpone or whipped cream for extra creaminess. Or dice them into a fruit salad with other seasonal fruits such as apples, figs or pomegranates. For a warming winter treat, serve them with mulled wine and spices.
The only limit is your imagination. Dare to experiment and discover new flavor combinations that will leave your guests craving for more.
Serving and Pairing
As soon as the wine-poached pears are ready, it’s time to serve them with their fragrant, sweet sauce. The poached pears with wine sauce can be served warm or cold, depending on your preference.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside the pears creates a delectable combination of hot and cold that will tantalize your taste buds, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion. For an added touch of extravagance, top the poached pears with a dollop of mascarpone cheese or whipped cream for a delightfully creamy contrast.
For those who prefer darker flavors, creating a dark chocolate sauce to drizzle over the pears creates an indulgent dish that satisfies every chocolate craving.
If you’re looking for a more simple yet mouthwatering option, pairing your poached fruit with crème anglaise would be perfect. The silky smoothness of vanilla custard marries perfectly with the spiced red wine flavors and irresistible aroma.
But don’t just stop there! For a truly delightful experience, pair the wine-poached pears with a glass of spiced red wine or mulled wine that complements and celebrates the flavors tantalizing your palate.
Overall, the poached pears with wine sauce recipe is versatile enough to excite almost any palate while being elegant enough to impress guests at any dinner party. You can’t go wrong serving this sweet dessert accompanied by an enchanting beverage pairing.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
It’s easy to make the poached pears with wine sauce ahead of time, and it’s a great option when you’re hosting a dinner party. Simply place the cooled poached pears and the wine sauce in separate airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days.
When ready to serve the poached pears with wine sauce, remove them from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This will help to bring out their flavors and aromas.
To reheat the wine sauce, pour it into a medium saucepan and warm it up over low heat until hot. Be careful not to overheat it as the wine can evaporate, reducing the volume of the sauce, and altering its flavor. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
When reheating the poached pears, you can either bring them back to room temperature or heat them gently in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes.
The great thing about this recipe is that you can play around with different accompaniments, depending on what you have on hand. Try serving your poached pears with dark chocolate sauce, crème anglaise, whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent finish. You can also pair them with fresh fruit or cheese for a lighter dessert option.
And if you’re looking for something particularly festive, why not try making mulled wine? Poached fruit makes an excellent addition to this classic holiday drink. The spiced red wine that’s left over from making these poached pears is perfect for preparing mulled wine. Simply mix it with a bit of sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and orange peels in a pot on medium heat for 20 minutes. Serve warm with your poached pears and a creamy dollop of mascarpone cheese.
Whether you’re making this recipe ahead of time or reheating it for a quick dessert, the poached pears with wine sauce are bound to be a crowd-pleaser.
Tips for Perfect Results
To achieve the perfect poached pears with wine sauce, you need to follow some tips. First and foremost, make sure that you use the best quality ingredients. Use fresh bosc pears that are not too ripe or too firm. Secondly, choose a wine that not only tastes delicious but is also suitable for poaching pears. A good choice is a medium-bodied red wine like a Pinot Noir or Merlot that will give the poached fruit a beautiful tint and warm flavor.
When preparing the sauce, remember not to overcook it. The wine sauce should be thick but still liquid enough to drizzle over the pears. To achieve this, add cornstarch to thicken if necessary and cook for about five minutes after adding the sugar and spices.
Another important tip is to keep an eye on the pears as they cook. Make sure to frequently turn them in the pot so that they are evenly coated with the wine sauce. If any of them start to soften or break apart, take them out and leave the rest to continue cooking.
Lastly, when serving this delightful dessert, don’t be afraid to get creative with your toppings. Dark chocolate sauce, crème anglaise, mascarpone, ice cream, fruit, whipped cream or even mulled wine would be lovely accompaniments to this spiced red wine-poached pear dessert.
By following these tips, you can confidently serve a plate of perfectly poached pears with wine sauce that will impress any guest at your table!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Poached Pears with Wine Sauce recipe is an excellent dessert choice that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. The combination of the spiced red wine and the cinnamon-poached pears creates a harmonious blend of flavors that will leave your taste buds dancing. This dessert is not only delicious but also simple and easy to prepare, making it an ideal choice for any occasion.
If you are looking to impress your friends and family with a unique dessert that is both elegant and flavorful, then you should definitely try this recipe. Whether served alone or with other accompaniments such as dark chocolate sauce, crème anglaise or whipped cream or even paired with a glass of mulled wine, this dessert will undoubtedly be a hit.
Furthermore, the simplicity of the recipe allows for customization and substitutions to fit dietary restrictions or preferences. For instance, swapping out the red wine for white wine could create a lighter version of this dessert. And by serving it with mascarpone cheese or atop ice cream, you can add another dimension to this dish.
In essence, this poached pear recipe provides an excellent platform for culinary experimentation while still creating a gorgeous and unique result. So what are you waiting for? Grab some bosc pears and spiced red wine and start cooking!
Poached Pears With Wine Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 bosc pears, peeled halved and cored
- 2 cups strawberry wine (I find Arbor Mist works the best)
- 1 cup water
- 4 tablespoons sugar-free strawberry jam
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pot bring wine, water, preserves, vanilla, orange juice, and cinnamon to a boil.
- Once boiling add the pear halves and reduce liquid to a simmer. Continue simmering until pears are tender about 5-10 minutes.
- Remove pears and set aside and whisk corn starch into the liquid in the sauce pot. Continue to simmer stirring constantly until liquid as thickened.