Pearfectly Spiced Poached Pears

Pearfectly Spiced Poached Pears

When the air gets chilly and leaves start showing off their vibrant hues, there’s nothing quite like the comfort of warmly spiced fruit to cozy up with. Our Pearfectly Spiced Poached Pears are a delightful treat that brings the essence of autumn to your plate. Sink your fork into the tender, fragrant flesh infused with a melody of spices, and let this simple yet elegant dessert charm your taste buds and warm your soul.

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe but firm pears
• 4 cups of water
• 3/4 cup of light brown sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 star anise
• 1 teaspoon of whole cloves
• 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. Peel the pears, leaving them whole with the stem on. Slice a small piece from the bottom of the pears to create a flat base.
2. In a large saucepan, combine water, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, split vanilla bean and its seeds, lemon zest, and ground nutmeg. Stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
3. Place the pears in the saucepan and bring to a low simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and let the pears poach for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are just tender.
4. Carefully remove the pears and set them aside. Increase the heat to medium-high, and let the poaching liquid simmer for another 15-20 minutes, until it has reduced by half and thickened into a syrup.
5. Serve the poached pears warm, drizzled with the spiced syrup. Optional: Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped nuts or a dollop of vegan whipped cream.