Star Anise Poached Pears

Transform your dessert game with these luxurious Star Anise Poached Pears, a simple yet elegant treat that’s perfect for special occasions or a cozy night in. This recipe features tender, juicy pears gently simmered in a fragrant spiced syrup infused with star anise, cinnamon, vanilla bean, and citrus zest for a symphony of warm, aromatic flavors. The poaching liquid is then reduced to a luscious syrup, adding a glossy finish to this visually stunning dish. Serve these pears warm or chilled, paired with whipped cream, refreshing mint leaves, or a scoop of creamy ice cream for the ultimate indulgence. Ready in under an hour, this gluten-free and effortlessly sophisticated recipe highlights the natural beauty of the fruit while impressing guests with its complex yet comforting flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Pears (firm and ripe, such as Bosc or Anjou)
• 4 cups Water
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 3 pieces Star anise
• 1 piece Cinnamon stick
• 1 piece Vanilla bean (split and scraped)
• 1 piece Lemon (zest only, peeled in wide strips)
• 1 piece Orange (zest only, peeled in wide strips)
• 2 tablespoons Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 0 Optional garnish: whipped cream, mint leaves, or ice cream

Directions

Step 1

Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. Slice a small, flat piece from the bottom of each pear so they can stand upright if desired.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine water, granulated sugar, star anise, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean (with seeds scraped into the liquid), lemon zest, orange zest, and lemon juice.

Step 3

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has fully dissolved.

Step 4

Carefully add the pears to the poaching liquid. Ensure they are mostly submerged (you can use a small lid or piece of parchment paper to help keep them submerged).

Step 5

Simmer the pears gently for 20-30 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking. The pears are done when a knife easily pierces the flesh.

Step 6

Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the poached pears to a serving dish and let them cool slightly.

Step 7

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

Step 8

Strain the syrup to remove the spices and zest, then pour it over the poached pears.

Step 9

Serve warm or chilled, garnished with whipped cream, mint leaves, or a scoop of ice cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1951.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1309.3

Total Fat 8.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 10mg	0%
Sodium 47.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 325.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.1g	0%
Total Sugars 271.2g
Protein 5.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 280.4mg	0%
Iron 7.3mg	0%
Potassium 1144.2mg	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: 5.5%

Protein: 1.7%

Carbs: 92.8%