Christmas Pear

Infuse your holiday table with elegance and warmth by serving these show-stopping Christmas Pears! This recipe combines tender, poached pears with the rich flavors of dry red wine, citrus, and aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, creating a festive dessert that's as beautiful as it is indulgent. The pears are gently simmered until perfectly soft and infused with vibrant notes of orange and vanilla, then served with a velvety red wine reduction that doubles as a stunning glaze. Garnished with a sprig of fresh mint or rosemary, these pears not only deliver holiday cheer in every bite but also make a sophisticated finish to any dinner party. Perfect for Christmas or any winter gathering, this dessert is a balance of simplicity and elegance, ideal for impressing guests while embracing the season's cozy flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 whole Pears (e.g., Bosc or Anjou)
• 750 ml Dry red wine
• 250 ml Water
• 150 g Granulated sugar
• 1 whole Orange
• 1 whole Cinnamon stick
• 4 whole Cloves
• 2 whole Star anise
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 4 sprigs Fresh mint or rosemary (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact, and cut a small slice off the bottom of each pear so they can stand upright.

Step 2

Zest the orange using a fine grater, trying to avoid the white pith, and juice its contents into a small bowl. Set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, combine the red wine, water, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, and vanilla extract.

Step 4

Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir gently until the sugar is fully dissolved, bringing the mixture just to a simmer.

Step 5

Carefully lower the peeled pears into the poaching liquid, ensuring they are submerged. If necessary, lay a small piece of parchment paper over the pears to keep them under the liquid during cooking.

Step 6

Simmer the pears gently over low heat for 30-40 minutes, turning them every 10 minutes to ensure even coloring and flavor absorption.

Step 7

Check for doneness by inserting a knife or skewer into the thickest part of the pear—it should slide through easily without resistance.

Step 8

Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the poached pears and set them upright on a serving dish or individual plates.

Step 9

Increase the heat under the saucepan and simmer the poaching liquid for 5-10 minutes to reduce it to a thick, syrup-like consistency.

Step 10

Strain the sauce through a fine sieve to remove the spices and orange zest.

Step 11

Drizzle the warm sauce generously over the pears when serving. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or rosemary, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2029.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1744.8

Total Fat 3.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 81.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 307.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.9g	0%
Total Sugars 235.4g
Protein 6.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 334.3mg	0%
Iron 9.2mg	0%
Potassium 2241.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2.6%

Protein: 2.0%

Carbs: 95.4%