Poached Pears

[lcsamano]

I recently went to a dinner party and there were poached pears served for dessert. Does anyone know how this is done? The dessert was very good.

[Mama Mangia]

Classic Poached Pears

1 pound Bosc or Anjou pears
1/2 cup granulated sugar, or to taste
2 cups water
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
Juice and zest of 2 lemons

1. Peel pears leaving the stem intact, but carefully using a melon baller remove the blossom end and scoop out the core if desired. Rub the pears with a cut lemon to prevent the flesh from discoloring.
2. In a saucepan which will hold all the pears standing upright, heat the sugar with the water, vanilla bean, lemon rind and juice until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil and add the prepared fruit. Make sure the fruit is completely covered by the syrup, if not double the recipe for syrup or prepare the fruit in two batches.
3. Bring the fruit almost back to a boil and poach gently about 20 to 25 minutes until the fruit is semi-transparent and just tender when pierced with the point of a small knife. Cooking time will vary depending on the ripeness and variety of the fruit.
4. Let the fruit cool to tepid in the syrup, then transfer to serving bowl or plate. Boil the syrup down until it's fairly thick and about half of it's original volume. (The more you reduce it though the sweeter and more concentrated the flavor of the syrup will be.) Strain syrup and pour over fruit. Serve cool or chilled.

Makes 4 servings.




Orange Poached Pears

2 cups orange juice
2 cups water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
zest of 1 orange, cut in strips
3 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
6 ripe but firm pears, peeled, cored, and quartered lengthwise

In a large saucepan combine orange juice, water, sugar, zest, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Add pears and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, until pears are tender. Put pears and syrup in refrigerator until thoroughly chilled.

Serve pears with sauce spooned over, garnished with orange zest. Remove cinnamon stick and cloves, if desired.
Serves 6.

[mtmomj]

Those sound awesome! I am looking forward to trying them!

[Mama Mangia]

Please let me know how you like them!

[magna]

Wow, these are pretty nice pears, just tasted them. Superb. Thanks alot

[Mama Mangia]

I am glad you enjoyed it! I just bought some pears and I can't wait to have some myself!

[lcsamano]

I havent made them yet since the pears in the market don't look to good. I will have to hold off for a few weeks when the pears look better. When are pears in season does anyone know?

[Mama Mangia]

fall! apples and pears are usually about the same time - for homegrown - the ones I bought looked wonderful - imported - but look great!