July 19, 2012

Poached Pear Recipe


I love poached pears... especially in a sugar syrup! I have had a couple of people ask me how to poach pears so here is my simple version. It is so easy to do and makes an impressive end product. Basically, I always use a ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. You can increase this ratio if you want it to be more sweet. Just make sure you have enough water to cover all of your pears. Then I just add any flavours that I feel will flavour the pear nicely. I generally use anything that I have on hand. However, I find that brown sugar gives a greater depth of flavour and the berries add a yummy sweetness. You don't need to add the berries if they are too expensive. I normally buy a box of frozen berries for about $4.00. Once you have them in the freezer, you will find so many uses for them! Also, I really love vegan vanilla ice cream as an accompaniment. The hot pear really goes nicely with the creamy cool texture of the icecream. YUM YUM. I feel like one now!


serves 4

   4 pears, peeled
   8 cups water
   2 cups brown sugar
   1 cup frozen berries
   1 small lemon, juiced
   1 teaspoon spices* (I used cinnamon) 
   vegan vanilla icecream (optional)

   
  1. In a saucepan on high heat, add water, brown sugar, berries, lemon juice and spices. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
  2. Peel four pears from stalk down and slice off the bottom to allow it to stand up sturdily. 
  3. Add pears to the pot of sugary liquid. 
  4. Simmer for 15 to 30 minutes and keep turning the pears to make sure they are poached evenly on all sides. 
  5. Take off the heat when they are as tender enough to your liking. I usually take them off when they are tender enough to be eaten with a spoon.
  6. Use a slotted spoon to remove pears from the pot. Serve with extra syrup, a sprinkling of cinnamon and a scoop of icecream. 

  • *You can use so many different spices. Choose your favourites! Such as dried cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, star anise etc...
  • Make sure you keep turning the pears to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.
  • Use the lemon rind as well if you want a citrus tang. 

11 comments :

  1. I've never had a poached pear, but it sounds like it'd be delicious with ice cream!

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    1. It is really amazing with ice cream! I love them muahaha :D

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  2. Yummy!! I'm going to try this tonight!!!!!!!

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  3. I'm really excited about trying this and the recipe looks so easy but it looks really amazing xxx

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  4. Look at the stem, you are quick on the draw!

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    1. I know! strangely enough, the steam kept coming and coming for ages afterwards. It allowed us to take quite a few photos hehe. Thanks for your comment!

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  5. That photograph- so lovely! Nothing like the smell of poached fruit with cinnamon... so warm, so comforting. And I meant to say it earlier, but thanks so much for nominating me for the Blogger Award, made me smile ;)

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    1. Hello! Sorry for the late reply... I just saw that I hadn't replied to this yet. My pleasure! You definitely deserve it. I absolutely love your blog :) I hope all is well with you.

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  6. Delicious! And you are saving animals ^_^

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    1. Hello! I know... It is so nice to know that everything you cook is animal-friendly :)

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