The Dreamy Lawson Poached Pears Recipe Everyone Adores

Sweet, succulent lawson poached pears emerge as a delightful dessert that whispers elegance.

Delicate fruit bathes in a fragrant liquid, absorbing subtle flavors with remarkable grace.

Chefs adore this classic technique for its simplicity and refined presentation.

Seasonal pears become luxurious when gently simmered in wine and spices.

Warm notes of cinnamon and vanilla dance through each tender bite.

Rich and aromatic, this dessert promises a sophisticated experience that feels both indulgent and light.

You’ll want to savor every delicate spoonful of this magical culinary creation.

Why Nigella Lawson Poached Pears Are So Elegant

• Savor Sophisticated Simplicity: This recipe transforms basic ingredients into an elegant dessert with minimal culinary skills required.
• Versatile Flavor Infusion: Poaching pears in wine creates a luxurious taste profile that can be adapted for different occasions, from casual dinners to sophisticated gatherings.
• Advance Preparation Friendly: You can make these pears ahead of time, allowing the flavors to develop and reducing last-minute cooking stress, perfect for entertaining or meal planning.
• Health-Conscious Indulgence: This dessert offers a lighter alternative to heavy, cream-based sweets, packed with natural fruit goodness and a touch of wine's complexity.

What Goes Into Nigella Lawson Poached Pears

• Red Wine: A robust red wine that provides a rich, deep flavor base for the poached pears.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a syrupy poaching liquid.

• Pears: Ripe, firm pears that will hold their shape during the poaching process.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, tangy note and helps prevent the pears from browning.

• Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon Stick: Optional ingredients that can add warm, aromatic depth to the poaching liquid and final dish.

How To Make Nigella Lawson Poached Pears

Step 1: Prepare Poaching Liquid

Combine red wine with sugar in a saucepan. Heat the mixture until it reaches a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Let the liquid bubble softly for about five minutes, allowing the sugar to dissolve completely and create a rich, sweet base for poaching the pears.

Step 2: Add Pears to the Liquid

Carefully place whole pears into the simmering wine mixture. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the pears to add a bright, citrusy note and help prevent browning. Cover the pan and let the pears gently poach, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes or until the pears become tender but still hold their shape.

Step 3: Cool and Serve

Remove the pears from the poaching liquid and transfer them to a serving dish. Allow the fruit to cool slightly. You can serve the pears warm or at room temperature. For the most intense flavor, let the pears sit in the wine mixture for an extended period – the longer they rest, the more they’ll absorb the delicious wine-infused essence. The poaching liquid can be reduced further to create a delightful syrup for drizzling over the pears when serving.

Helpful Tips For Nigella Lawson Poached Pears

• Select Ripe Pears: Choose firm, slightly underripe pears like Bosc or Anjou that hold their shape during poaching and won't turn mushy.
• Control Simmering Carefully: Keep liquid at a gentle simmer, not a hard boil, to prevent pears from breaking apart and maintain their elegant texture.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Add whole spices like cinnamon stick, star anise, or vanilla bean to the poaching liquid for complex, aromatic undertones.
• Serve Strategically: Reduce remaining wine syrup after removing pears to create a rich, glossy sauce for drizzling over the dessert.
• Store Smartly: Poached pears can be refrigerated in their liquid for 2-3 days, which allows flavors to develop and intensify.

Ways To Switch Up Nigella Lawson Poached Pears

• Sparkling Pear Delight: Replace wine with champagne or prosecco for an elegant, bubbly version of the poached pears.
• Spiced Autumn Pears: Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves to the poaching liquid for a warm, seasonal flavor profile.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute sugar with honey or maple syrup, reducing the overall sugar content while maintaining sweetness.
• Vegan Friendly: Use coconut sugar and plant-based sweet wine to create a completely vegan-friendly poached pear dessert.

What Matches With Nigella Lawson Poached Pears

• Savor Creamy Vanilla Companion: Rich vanilla ice cream or custard complements the wine-poached pears, creating a luxurious dessert experience with smooth, cold contrast against the warm, tender fruit.
• Cheese Elegance Pairing: Soft blue cheese or aged goat cheese provides a delightful tangy counterpoint to the sweet wine-infused pears, offering a sophisticated balance of flavors and textures.
• Wine Harmony Match: Select a dessert wine like Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling that mirrors the original poaching liquid, enhancing the pear's delicate wine-soaked essence and creating a harmonious tasting journey.

How To Store Nigella Lawson Poached Pears Right

• Store poached pears in an airtight container within the wine liquid for up to 3-4 days. The liquid helps preserve moisture and enhance flavor.
• Transfer pears to a freezer-safe container, ensuring they're completely covered in poaching liquid. Freeze for maximum 2 months without compromising texture.
• Gently warm pears in a saucepan over low heat, slowly bringing them to room temperature. Avoid high heat to prevent breaking down delicate fruit structure.
• Remove pears from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow natural warming and maintain optimal taste and texture.

FAQs For Nigella Lawson Poached Pears

• What type of pears work best for this recipe?

Firm, ripe pears like Bosc or Anjou are ideal because they hold their shape well during poaching and absorb the wine flavors without falling apart.

• Can I use a different liquid instead of wine?

Yes, you can substitute wine with grape juice, apple cider, or white tea for a non-alcoholic version that still provides delicious poaching liquid.

• How do I know when the pears are perfectly poached?

The pears are done when they’re tender when pierced with a fork but still hold their shape, typically around 10 minutes of simmering. The color should be a soft, uniform reddish tone from the wine.

Lawson Poached Pears Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Elegant Lawson poached pears dance with delicate French wine and warm spices, creating a dessert that whispers sophistication. Sophisticated palates will savor this simple yet luxurious finale to an exquisite meal.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 pears (ripe but firm, peeled, cored and halved)

Liquid Base:

• 500 milliliters (16.9 fluid ounces) red wine (merlot)

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Heat wine and sugar in a saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes at medium-low temperature.
2. Carefully place peeled pears into the simmering wine mixture, add lemon juice, and gently poach for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even color and flavor absorption.
3. Remove pears from liquid and transfer to a serving dish, allowing them to cool slightly and continue absorbing the wine reduction.
4. For enhanced flavor, let pears rest in the poaching liquid for an additional 30 minutes at room temperature, which will intensify the wine’s depth and color.
5. Before serving, gently reheat pears in the liquid if desired, or serve at room temperature, creating a sophisticated dessert with a rich, burgundy-tinted exterior and tender, wine-infused flesh.

Notes

• Select firm, ripe pears like Bosc or Anjou for the best texture and absorption of wine flavors.
• Adjust sweetness by varying the type of sugar or using honey for a different flavor profile.
• Remove pears carefully to prevent breaking their delicate shape during cooking and transfer.
• Create a beautiful presentation by reducing the wine sauce to a syrupy consistency after removing pears.

• Prep Time: 0 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 159 kcal
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 2 mg
• Fat: 0.3 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 0.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg