Imagine a dessert so elegant and sophisticated that it transports you straight to the rolling hills of Italy with just one bite. These poached pears in sweet wine are not just a dessert; they're a culinary masterpiece that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious experience. With a delicate balance of sweetness, warmth, and complexity, this recipe will elevate your home cooking from ordinary to extraordinary, impressing even the most discerning food lovers.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 ripe pears
- 1 bottle sweet white wine
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, split
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the pears. Choose ripe but firm pears to ensure they hold their shape during poaching. Rinse the pears under cold water and peel them carefully, leaving the stems intact for presentation. Cut a small slice from the bottom of each pear to help them stand upright while poaching.
- In a large saucepan, combine the sweet white wine, sugar, the juice of one lemon, and ground cinnamon. Stir the mixture gently over medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Once the sugar is dissolved, add the split vanilla bean to the saucepan. If you prefer a stronger vanilla flavor, you can scrape the seeds from the bean and add them to the mixture as well.
- Carefully place the prepared pears into the saucepan, ensuring they are fully submerged in the liquid. If necessary, you can use a small plate to weigh them down gently.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan, allowing the pears to poach for about 20-25 minutes. Check the pears occasionally for doneness; they should be tender but not mushy. A knife should easily slide into the flesh when they are ready.
- Once the pears are cooked, carefully remove them from the poaching liquid using a slotted spoon and set them aside to cool slightly. Increase the heat to medium-high and let the poaching liquid simmer uncovered for about 5-10 minutes, or until it has reduced to a syrupy consistency.
- To serve, place each poached pear on a dessert plate and drizzle with the reduced poaching syrup. You can also garnish with additional spices or a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.
- Enjoy your poached pears in sweet wine as a delightful Italian dessert, either warm or chilled. They pair wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
Tips
- • Select pears that are ripe but still firm to ensure they maintain their shape during poaching • Keep the stems intact for a beautiful presentation • Use a high-quality sweet white wine for the best flavor profile • Don't rush the poaching process - low and slow is the key to tender, perfectly cooked pears • Test pear doneness by gently inserting a knife - it should slide in smoothly • Reduce the poaching liquid to create a rich, glossy syrup for drizzling • Serve warm or chilled, and consider pairing with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 355kcal
Carbohydrates: 69g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
