Description
Delight in the elegance of poached pears, a classic dessert featuring tender pears simmered in a fragrant spiced syrup infused with cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, vanilla, and lemon juice. This simple yet sophisticated dish is perfect for serving warm or chilled, enhanced by a luscious reduced syrup drizzle.
Ingredients
Scale
Poaching Liquid
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 whole cloves
- Peel from 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pears
- 4 firm, ripe pears (such as Bosc or Anjou)
Instructions
- Prepare the poaching liquid: In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, orange peel, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Stir the ingredients well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the pears: Peel each pear carefully, then core them from the bottom if you prefer, keeping the stems intact to maintain their shape during poaching.
- Poach the pears: Gently place the peeled pears into the simmering spiced liquid, making sure they are fully submerged to cook evenly.
- Simmer the pears: Let the pears simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking and to impart uniform color from the syrup.
- Remove the pears: Using a slotted spoon, carefully lift the pears out of the liquid and set them aside to rest.
- Reduce the syrup: Strain the poaching liquid to remove spices and peel, then return it to medium heat. Simmer until it thickens slightly into a rich syrup that will coat the pears beautifully.
- Serve: Plate the pears warm or chilled, drizzling the reduced syrup over the top for a luscious finish.
Notes
- Choose firm pears like Bosc or Anjou to ensure they hold their shape during poaching.
- Peeling and coring the pears is optional, but it helps the flavors penetrate and makes eating easier.
- The syrup can be stored in the refrigerator and used as a sweet sauce for other desserts.
- For an adult variation, add a splash of dessert wine or brandy to the poaching liquid.
- Adjust the sweetness by changing the sugar quantity based on personal preference.
