Description
Indulgent French Poached Pears dance with elegant simplicity, blending delicate wine-infused flavors and graceful presentation. Dessert enthusiasts will savor this classic French delicacy that elevates seasonal fruit into a sophisticated sweet finale.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits:
- 8 bosc pears
Side Ingredients:
- 1 lemon zest
- 1 cinnamon stick
Spices and Liquid:
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.25) ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.25) ground pepper
- 3 cups (24 fluid ounces / 710 milliliters) apple cider
- 1 cup (8 fluid ounces / 240 milliliters) water
Optional Serving:
- Lemon sorbet
Instructions
- Carefully remove pear skin using a vegetable peeler, maintaining whole fruit shape while extracting core from bottom end.
- Select a wide, shallow pan and create aromatic poaching liquid by blending apple cider, water, fragrant lemon zest, warm cinnamon, earthy allspice, and subtle black pepper.
- Gently submerge prepared pears into liquid, ensuring they are mostly covered, and place parchment paper directly on surface to prevent discoloration.
- Simmer liquid at medium-low heat for approximately 20 minutes, delicately rotating pears every 5-7 minutes to ensure uniform cooking and color.
- Extract pears using slotted spoon and transfer to serving plate, leaving poaching liquid in pan.
- Increase heat and vigorously boil remaining liquid, stirring occasionally, until it transforms into glossy, concentrated syrup with rich amber hue.
- Drizzle reduced syrup generously over poached pears, allowing liquid to cascade and pool around fruit base.
- Refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes to enhance flavor and achieve elegant serving temperature, optionally garnishing with complementary sorbet before presentation.
Notes
- Choose firm, ripe pears like Bosc or Anjou for the best poaching results.
- Carefully peel pears from bottom to top, keeping stem intact for an elegant presentation.
- Use a vegetable peeler to create a smooth, even surface when removing skin.
- Adjust spices based on personal taste or dietary preferences – swap cinnamon for ginger or add vanilla bean for depth.
- Check pear tenderness by inserting a sharp knife – it should glide in smoothly without resistance.
- Make this dessert vegan by substituting honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Leftover poaching liquid can be stored in the refrigerator and reused for another batch or as a cocktail mixer.
- Serve chilled for a refreshing summer dessert or warm for a cozy winter treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 73 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg