Pears Belle Helene

Pears Belle Helene is a sophisticated French dessert that combines poached pears with creamy vanilla ice cream, topped with a rich chocolate sauce. With its beautiful presentation and delicate flavors, this dessert makes an elegant finish to any meal.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Wait Time1

Total Time30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: French

Keyword: Pears Belle Helene

Servings: 4

Calories: 480kcal

Ingredients

TO POACH THE PEARS:

1 liter water
2 cups sugar
1 vanilla bean, split
4 Anjou pears, peeled

CHOCOLATE SAUCE:

4 ounces dark sweet chocolate
0.5 cup whipping cream

GARNISH:

1.5 cups French vanilla ice cream
0.25 cup sliced almonds or hazelnut, to decorate
Fresh mint leaves, to decorate

Instructions

Combine water, sugar and vanilla bean in a large saucepan. Bring to boil for 2 minutes.
Peel the pears but leave the stems attached. Remove the seeds with a melon baller from the bottom. Add pears, reduce heat and cook gently until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Refrigerate pears in syrup for 24 hours.
Remove vanilla bean from syrup. Boil cream and add thechocolate. Stir continuously until smooth. Remove from heat.
To serve, place a scoop of ice cream in a bowl. Place a pear alongside the ice cream and spoon chocolate sauce over top. Garnish with sliced almonds or hazelnut and a mint leave.