Poached Pears in Australian Shiraz

Transform your dessert game with these exquisite Poached Pears in Australian Shiraz! This recipe pairs the natural sweetness of Bosc pears with the robust, fruity richness of Australian Shiraz wine, creating a dish that's both elegant and irresistibly flavorful. Simmered with aromatic spices like cinnamon, star anise, and vanilla, and accented with bright citrus notes from fresh orange zest and a splash of lemon juice, these tender pears are a showstopping dessert. The reduced wine syrup adds a luxurious finishing touch, while optional fresh mint leaves provide a burst of freshness. Perfect for dinner parties or intimate gatherings, this hassle-free recipe is ready in under an hour and sure to impress with its sophistication and vibrant flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 whole Bosc pears
• 750 ml Australian Shiraz wine
• 200 g Granulated sugar
• 250 ml Water
• 1 whole Cinnamon stick
• 2 whole Star anise
• 1 whole Vanilla bean
• 1 strip Orange zest
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice
• 6 leaves Fresh mint leaves (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. Core the pears from the base using a small spoon or melon baller, if desired, to remove seeds.

Step 2

In a large saucepan, combine the Shiraz wine, water, and granulated sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

Step 3

Add the cinnamon stick, star anise, orange zest, and vanilla bean (split lengthwise and seeds scraped into the mixture along with the pod).

Step 4

Squeeze the lemon juice into the wine mixture and stir well to combine.

Step 5

Place the pears upright into the saucepan. If needed, adjust the position of the pears horizontally so that they are fully submerged in the liquid. You can use a small lid or heatproof plate to gently weigh them down.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and poach the pears for 30-40 minutes, occasionally basting them with the wine mixture, until they are tender but not falling apart. (You can test by inserting a skewer into a pear—it should glide in easily.)

Step 7

Carefully remove the pears with a slotted spoon and set them aside on a serving platter to cool slightly.

Step 8

Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer the poaching liquid until it reduces and thickens into a syrupy consistency, about 10-15 minutes.

Step 9

Strain the syrup to remove the spices and zest, then allow it to cool slightly.

Step 10

Drizzle the syrup over the poached pears and garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature for a delightful dessert.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1972.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1854.0

Total Fat 2.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 55.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 339.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.7g	0%
Total Sugars 274.6g
Protein 5.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 232.4mg	0%
Iron 7.9mg	0%
Potassium 1666.5mg	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: 1.7%

Protein: 1.4%

Carbs: 96.9%