Indulge in the exquisite flavors of poached pears with Riesling, a classic dessert that combines the sweetness of pears with the aromatic complexity of Riesling wine. This elegant dish is perfect for special occasions or as a delightful treat to enjoy after a satisfying meal. The poaching liquid, infused with spices like cinnamon and star anise, creates a symphony of flavors that seeps into every bite of the tender pears. Accompanied by a silky smooth custard sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this dessert is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice cook, this recipe provides clear and concise instructions, guiding you through each step of the process to ensure perfect results. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your kitchen, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you and your loved ones enchanted.
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RIESLING POACHED PEARS WITH CARDAMOM CREAM
Riesling is a white wine native to Germany, though it's now also being grown as far afield as California, New York and Australia. Rieslings can range from sweet (labeled Spatlese or Auslese) to dry (labeled Kabinett, Qualitatswein or QbA); they're all known for honeyed, floral notes and stony minerality. They're an especially good match for fruit, as they add clean, not cloying, sweetness. Cardamom, a common ingredient in Northern European and Scandinavian baking, adds a smoky counterpoint.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 2h40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Pour the Riesling into a medium saucepan and whisk in the sugar until it dissolves.
- Peel the pears, leaving stem intact, if present. Remove bottom stem end with a small melon baller, and continue to scoop up into the pear to remove the core. Place the pears right in the Riesling mixture (poaching liquid) after they are peeled and cored to prevent them from discoloring. (The acidity of the wine keeps them from browning). Add just enough water to cover the pears.
- To keep the pears submerged in the poaching liquid, cut a circle of parchment paper the size of the pan and lay on the surface of the liquid. Place a small plate on top of the paper to make sure the pears are completely submerged. Cook the pears over medium-high heat, just until the liquid comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and poach the pears until they are just soft. The pears should be tender enough to pierce with a knife. This takes about 20 to 25 minutes for ripe medium pears, but this can vary depending on the size, variety and ripeness of the pear.
- Remove the pan from the heat and cool the fruit completely in the poaching liquid. Refrigerate the fruit in the liquid in a sealed container until ready to serve. (The fruit will hold for 4 to 5 days, the longer the fruit is stored in the poaching liquid, the fuller the flavor).
- Pour about half of the poaching liquid into a skillet and bring to a boil over high heat. Continue to cook and reduce until the liquid gets syrupy and about the consistency of honey.
- Meanwhile, whip the cream together with the sugar and cardamom until cream just holds soft peaks. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- To serve, place a pear in a bowl or on a plate. Drizzle with reduced Riesling syrup and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream.
VANILLA POACHED PEARS
Steps:
- Place the white wine, water, sugar and vanilla bean and pulp into a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Core the pears from the bottom. Decrease the heat to medium low and place the pears into the liquid, cover and cook for 30 minutes or until the pears are tender but not falling apart. Maintain a gentle simmer. Remove the pears to a serving dish, standing them upright, and place in the refrigerator.
- Remove the vanilla bean from the saucepan, increase the heat to high and reduce the syrup to approximately 1 cup of liquid, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Do not allow the syrup to turn brown. Place the syrup in a heatproof container and place in the refrigerator until cool, approximately 1 hour.
- Remove the pears from the refrigerator, spoon the sauce over the pears and serve.
POACHED PEARS IN HONEY, GINGER AND CINNAMON SYRUP
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories dessert
Time 1h20m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a saucepan large enough to hold all the pears, combine the wine, Simple Syrup, cinnamon stick halves, honey, and ginger. Scrape in the seeds from the vanilla bean and add the bean and seeds to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the honey has melted. Add the pears and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until the pears are tender. Remove the pears from the liquid and allow to cool.
- Continue to simmer the liquid until it thickens and is reduced by half, about 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Remove the cinnamon stick halves and the vanilla bean and discard.
- Place each pear on a small serving plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with the honey, ginger and cinnamon syrup. Serve immediately.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool.
Tips:
- Choose ripe but firm pears for poaching. This will help them hold their shape and prevent them from becoming mushy.
- Use a variety of pears for a more complex flavor. Some good options include Anjou, Bartlett, Bosc, and Comice.
- Poach the pears in a flavorful liquid. This could be a simple syrup made with sugar and water, or a more complex mixture such as wine, cider, or juice.
- Add spices and herbs to the poaching liquid for extra flavor. Some good options include cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla bean.
- Poach the pears until they are tender but still hold their shape. This will usually take about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve the poached pears warm or cold. They can be enjoyed on their own, or topped with whipped cream, ice cream, or yogurt.
Conclusion:
Poached pears are a classic dessert that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. By following these tips, you can make perfect poached pears every time. Enjoy!
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