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Poached Pears in Red Wine
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Poached Pears in Red Wine

This recipe for poached pears in red wine is the perfect dessert for a cold winter evening or a sophisticated brunch treat. The natural sweetness of the pears is enhanced by the rich flavors of the wine and spices.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Wait Time1 day
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 225kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 large pears, Anjou or Bartlett, with stems intact
  • 1 bottle Pinot Noir or other light fruity red wine, (750 ml)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1.5 cups sugar
  • 1 Vanilla bean
  • 0.25 teaspoon clove powder
  • 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 inch long
  • Raspberry syrup, optional

Instructions

  • Peel the pears with a peeler, leaving stems on. Combine the wine, water, sugar, vanilla, clove powder, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Add the pears and poach in barely simmering the liquid for 35 to 40 minutes or until pink in color with soft centers. Turn them occasionally to cook evenly (set a clean cloth on top of the liquid to keep them submerged). Let the pears cool to room temperature in the liquid and store in the fridge.
  • Serve as is with some of the red wine or with raspberry syrup. 

Video

Notes

Do not discard the remaining wine; it could be used to make vin chaud or red wine sorbet.