Poached Pears – France

Poached Pears are a classic French dessert where pears are gently simmered in wine or syrup with spices until tender, creating a flavorful and elegant dish.

Poached Pears Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe pears (such as Bosc or Anjou)

• 2 cups red wine (or white wine)

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 2-3 cloves

• 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)

• Zest of 1 orange (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pears:

   • Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. Cut a small slice off the bottom to help them stand upright.

2. Make the Poaching Liquid:

   • In a saucepan, combine the wine, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, vanilla bean, and orange zest. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.

3. Poach the Pears:

   • Gently add the pears to the saucepan. Cover and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the pears are tender when pierced with a fork.

4. Serve:

   • Remove the pears and set aside. Continue simmering the liquid for an additional 10-15 minutes to reduce and thicken.

   • Serve the pears warm or chilled, drizzling with the reduced syrup.

Enjoy your elegant Poached Pears!