Poached Pears

Elevate your dessert game with these elegant Poached Pears, a classic yet simple treat that's as stunning as it is delicious. This easy recipe combines firm, ripe pears like Bosc or Anjou with a fragrant infusion of vanilla bean, cinnamon, star anise, and a hint of zesty lemon for a perfectly spiced and aromatic poaching liquid. Optional dry white wine adds a sophisticated depth of flavor, while the light syrup created during cooking doubles as a luscious finishing touch. Gently simmered to tender perfection in just 30 minutes, these poached pears make an impressive centerpiece for any meal—serve them warm, chilled, or at room temperature with a drizzle of syrup and a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Perfect for dinner parties, holiday feasts, or an indulgent weeknight treat, this recipe is a delightful balance of simplicity and elegance, keeping your guests coming back for more.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 whole Pears (firm and ripe, such as Bosc or Anjou)
• 4 cups Water
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 whole Vanilla bean (split lengthwise)
• 1 whole Cinnamon stick
• 2 whole Star anise
• 1 whole Lemon (zested and juiced)
• 1 cup Dry white wine (optional, can substitute with more water)

Directions

Step 1

Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. Use a melon baller or small spoon to scoop out the core from the bottom of each pear.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, vanilla bean, cinnamon stick, star anise, lemon zest, lemon juice, and white wine (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.

Step 3

Place the peeled pears upright in the saucepan. Ensure they are mostly submerged in the liquid. If needed, add a bit more water to cover them.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a lid slightly ajar. Simmer the pears for 20-30 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a knife. Rotate the pears occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 5

Once cooked, remove the pears from the saucepan using a slotted spoon and set them aside to cool slightly.

Step 6

Increase the heat to medium-high and boil the poaching liquid until it reduces by about half, forming a flavorful syrup. This may take 8-10 minutes.

Step 7

Serve the pears warm, room temperature, or chilled. Drizzle the reduced syrup over the top and garnish with additional spices, whipped cream, or ice cream, if desired.

Step 8

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, submerged in the syrup, for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2184.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1426.7

Total Fat 2.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 53.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 327.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.8g	0%
Total Sugars 271.8g
Protein 5.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 242.5mg	0%
Iron 6.0mg	0%
Potassium 1229.3mg	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: 1.8%

Protein: 1.5%

Carbs: 96.7%