Red Wine Poached Pears are an elegant and simple dessert that makes a perfect finish to a dinner party or a romantic meal. The pears are gently poached in a fragrant red wine sauce, infused with warming spices like cinnamon and cloves, and a touch of citrus to enhance the flavor. As they simmer, the wine reduces into a luscious syrup that coats the pears, giving them a rich, ruby color. The result is a perfectly tender pear, sweet with a subtle hint of the spiced wine, that pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even some crunchy nuts.
Ingredients:
- 4 firm pears (Bosc or Anjou work best), peeled with stems intact
- 1 bottle of dry red wine (750ml)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 star anise (optional)
- Zest of 1 orange (in large strips)
- Juice of 1 orange
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or nuts (optional, for serving)
Instructions:
- Prepare the poaching liquid: In a large saucepan, combine the red wine, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise (if using), orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, allowing the sugar to dissolve.
- Poach the pears: Add the peeled pears to the simmering wine mixture. Ensure they are mostly submerged in the liquid. If necessary, gently rotate them during cooking. Allow the pears to simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork but still hold their shape.
- Reduce the wine: Once the pears are poached, carefully remove them from the saucepan and set aside. Increase the heat under the wine mixture and let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes until it reduces to a syrupy consistency.
- Serve: Place each pear on a serving dish and drizzle with the reduced wine syrup. For added elegance, serve with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a sprinkle of toasted nuts.
Enjoy your sophisticated Red Wine Poached Pears as a delightful and memorable dessert!
