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Elegant Red Wine Poached Pears with Vanilla Bean and Spiced Syrup

Two glistening red wine poached pears, one halved to show the light interior, served in dark syrup.
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Create a sophisticated dessert with minimal effort. These tender pears simmer in a rich red wine syrup flavored with vanilla and warm spices, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying as a comforting treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 firm pears (Bosc or Anjou), peeled, halved, and cored
  • 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine (like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 whole star anise
  • 1 strip orange zest

Instructions

  1. Combine the red wine, water, sugar, split vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and orange zest in a saucepan large enough to hold the pears in a single layer.
  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
  3. Gently place the peeled and halved pears into the simmering liquid. The liquid should mostly cover the pears.
  4. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan partially, and let the pears poach for 20 to 35 minutes, depending on ripeness. You want them tender when pierced with a knife but still holding their shape.
  5. Carefully remove the pears from the liquid using a slotted spoon and set them aside.
  6. Increase the heat to medium-high and boil the remaining poaching liquid, uncovered, for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the syrup reduces by about half and thickens slightly. This creates your spiced syrup.
  7. Remove the vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks, and star anise from the syrup.
  8. To serve, place two pear halves in a shallow bowl, spoon a generous amount of the warm spiced syrup over them, and serve immediately with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or crème anglaise.

Notes

  • For an even more elegant presentation, serve the pears chilled with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
  • If you prefer a lighter color, substitute the red wine with Moscato or white wine for a beautiful vanilla poached pear result.
  • If you do not have a vanilla bean, use 1 teaspoon of high-quality vanilla extract added after the syrup has cooled slightly.
  • To achieve the most tender poached fruit, use Bosc pears, as they hold their shape well during cooking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/poached-pears-elegant-red-wine-recipe/