Red Wine Poached Pears

Peras al Vino Tinto

Jani

Hi, I'm Janice! I'm a chef, food photographer, and DIY enthusiast. On this blog, I share reliable, budget-friendly recipes that anyone can make, regardless of their cooking experience. Alongside these delicious dishes, I also offer a peek into my DIY projects, showing you how I’m transforming my home one step at a time. Whether you're here to cook up something tasty or get inspired to tackle a home improvement project, you'll find something to enjoy!

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In this recipe, we’ll make elegant Red Wine Poached Pears, a dessert that combines the sweetness of ripe pears with the richness of red wine. The pears are simmered in a spiced wine syrup, resulting in a tender, flavorful treat. We’ll also share some ideas on how to serve these pears beautifully and provide tips to ensure they turn out perfect every time.

Whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply enjoy a delightful dessert at home, this recipe is a wonderful choice.

Essential Ingredients for Red Wine Poached Pears

Pears: Choose firm varieties like Bosc or Anjou, which hold their shape well during poaching.

Red Wine: A dry red wine such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon adds depth and complexity to the dish.

Spices and Aromatics: Cinnamon, cloves, and lemon peel give the wine syrup warmth and a hint of brightness.

Sugar: Balances the tartness of the wine and enhances the sweetness of the pears.

Now, let’s get cooking!

Let’s Get Cooking

  • Prepare the Pears: Peel the pears, keeping the stems intact for a more elegant presentation. Set them aside.
  • Make the Poaching Liquid: In a large saucepan, combine red wine, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and lemon peel. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
  • Poach the Pears: Add the peeled pears to the saucepan, ensuring they are fully submerged in the liquid. Spoon the liquid over the pears as they simmer for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally to coat them evenly.
  • Cool the Pears: Once the pears are tender, remove them carefully from the saucepan and allow them to cool.
  • Reduce the Wine: Increase the heat to boil the wine mixture until it reduces to a syrupy consistency.
  • Serve: Place the pears on individual plates and drizzle with the wine syrup. You can serve them warm or chilled, based on your preference.

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Variations and Substitutions

  • 🍷 White Wine Poached Pears: Swap the red wine for white wine for a lighter flavor. Add a touch of food coloring to give them a festive look for holidays like Christmas.
  • 🌿 Spice It Up: Besides cinnamon and cloves, experiment with exotic spices like cardamom or star anise for a unique twist.
  • 🍏 Apples Instead of Pears: Firm green apples make a great substitute for pears. They cook beautifully and add a slightly tart contrast to the sweet wine syrup.

Tips and Tricks

  • 🍐 Choose the Right Pears: Use firm, underripe pears to ensure they hold their shape during cooking.
  • 🍾 Quality Wine is Key: The flavor of the wine intensifies, so use a wine you would enjoy drinking. Avoid overly sweet varieties.
  • 🔥 Simmer, Don’t Boil: Gently simmer the pears to prevent them from becoming mushy. A slow poach allows the fruit to absorb all the delicious flavors.
  • ⏳ Let Them Rest: For the best results, allow the pears to rest in the wine syrup for a few hours. This helps the flavors to fully develop.
  • 🍨 Serve with Toppings: Enhance the dessert by serving with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or toasted nuts for extra texture and flavor.
Peras al Vino Tinto
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Red Wine Poached Pears

Red Wine Poached Pears are an elegant Italian dessert that combines the sweetness of ripe pears with the richness of red wine. Cooked in a mixture of wine and aromatic spices, these pears become tender and absorb the flavors beautifully. They are served with a delicious red wine syrup and can be accompanied by ice cream, whipped cream, or nuts for an exceptional culinary experience. This recipe is perfect for impressing your guests or simply enjoying a divine dessert at home.
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Palabra clave Pears, Poached Pears, Red Wine
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 5
Calories 170kcal

Ingredients

  • 5 pears 600 g
  • 2 cups red wine 500 ml
  • 3/4 cup sugar 150 g
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 5 allspice berries
  • 5 whole cloves
  • Peel of 1 lemon yellow

Instructions

  • Start by peeling the pears, making sure to leave the stem for an elegant presentation. In a large saucepan, pour in the red wine and add the sugar.
  • Stir well to dissolve the sugar in the wine. Add the cinnamon stick, allspice berries, cloves, and the peel of a yellow lemon to the saucepan.
  • Place the peeled pears in the saucepan with the warm wine and aromatics. Make sure the pears are fully submerged in the liquid. If your pot is wide, use a spoon to constantly baste the pears with the wine sauce.
  • Simmer the pears over low heat for about 20-25 minutes. This will allow the pears to absorb the flavors of the wine and spices while becoming tender.
  • Occasionally, gently turn the pears to ensure they are evenly coated with the flavors. Once the pears are tender, carefully remove them from the wine and place them on a plate or container to cool.
  • Bring the wine to a boil and let it cook for a few more minutes until it thickens into a syrup.
  • To serve, place the pears on individual plates and drizzle them with the red wine syrup. You can enjoy the Red Wine Poached Pears warm or cold, depending on your preference. Serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or chopped nuts for an even more delicious experience.

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