Description
An elegant, make-ahead holiday dessert featuring firm Bosc pears simmered in a spiced red wine syrup. This light, gluten-free treat is sophisticated yet easy to prepare, allowing you to spend more time with guests and less time in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- 6 medium firm Bosc pears
- 750ml dry red wine (such as Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large cinnamon stick
- 2 star anise pods
- 4–5 whole cloves
- Zest of 1 organic orange
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Peel the pears carefully, keeping them whole if possible. Trim the stem and bottom so they sit flat in the pot. Set aside.
- In a deep saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the red wine, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, and orange zest. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the spices.
- Gently place the pears into the simmering syrup. If they are not fully submerged, place a round of parchment paper on top to weigh them down.
- Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and poach for 30-45 minutes until a knife pierces the thickest part easily but the pears are not mushy.
- Remove the pot from heat and let the pears cool in the syrup to room temperature.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours to allow the pears to absorb the color and flavor.
- To serve, remove pears from the fridge. Slice in half lengthwise or serve whole. Spoon chilled syrup over the top and garnish with mint or pistachios if desired. Serve with crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Use firm Bosc pears as they hold their structure best during poaching. Do not skip the 24-hour chilling time, as this is crucial for the pears to develop their deep ruby color and flavor. The leftover syrup can be frozen for up to 3 months and used as a topping for oatmeal or yogurt. If using ground spices instead of whole spices, strain the syrup before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pear
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 28
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 1
Keywords: winter dessert, poached pears, holiday recipes, make-ahead dessert, red wine pears, gluten-free dessert, elegant dessert, easy holiday cooking