Pears, with their sweet and slightly tart flavor, are a delicious fruit that can be enjoyed in many different ways. One classic way to prepare pears is to poach them in port wine. This simple yet elegant dessert is perfect for any occasion. The pears are gently simmered in a mixture of port wine, sugar, and spices, until they are tender and flavorful. The port wine adds a rich and fruity flavor to the pears, while the spices provide a warm and aromatic background. Serve the pears warm with a dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche, and enjoy their deliciousness.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
INSTANT POT® POACHED PEARS WITH PORT WINE
The most amazing elegant dessert in an instant. Try these quick and easy poached pears cooked with port wine and spices, made in minutes in your Instant Pot®, ready to entertain any guests. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
Provided by Fioa
Categories Desserts Fruit Dessert Recipes Orange Dessert Recipes
Time 1h5m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine water, port, orange juice, sugar, orange zest, cinnamon sticks, and cloves in a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®). Select Saute function and set timer for 3 minutes, until liquid begins to slightly simmer.
- Place pears inside the pot. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 8 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
- Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove lid. Transfer pears to a plate to cool, leaving juices in the pot.
- Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 10 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
- Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove lid. Discard cinnamon sticks from the sauce. Place poached pears in bowls and drizzle with port sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 385.1 calories, Carbohydrate 77.4 g, Fat 0.5 g, Fiber 6.1 g, Protein 1.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 12.8 mg, Sugar 62.5 g
PEARS IN PORT WINE
Steps:
- Peel the pears, but leave them whole. With the stem end intact, cut off a thin slice at the bottom so that the pears can stand upright.
- In a nonreactive saucepan, bring the port, sugar, and 2 cups water to a boil.
- Place the whole pears in the liquid, lower the heat, and simmer, uncovered, for about 35 minutes, turning the pears occasionally, until they are tender.
- Remove the pears with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool.
- Increase the heat under the saucepan and reduce the liquid by half by boiling vigorously for 20 minutes to a medium-thick syrup. Add the Cointreau and vanilla.
- Place the pears upright in a serving dish and spoon the reduced syrup over them. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
RED WINE AND PORT POACHED PEARS WITH MASCARPONE
Steps:
- In a large saucepan combine the port, wine, 1 cup of the sugar, star anise, cinnamon, thyme, lemon zest, the vanilla bean and seeds. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add the pears and simmer until the pears are cooked through, about 25 to 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let cool in the poaching liquid.
- Before serving, remove the pears from their poaching liquid and reduce the liquid to a syrup. Strain into a small bowl.
- Combine the mascarpone and remaining sugar in a small bowl. Dollop a small amount of the mascarpone on each plate and arrange a pear half on top to prevent it from sliding around the plate. Garnish the pears with a large dollop of the mascarpone, and drizzle with the reduced poaching liquid. Shave the chocolate over the mascarpone and serve.
- Voila!
POACHED RED PEARS IN PORT WINE
Steps:
- Peel and core the pears. Place them in a saucepot with anise and Port wine. Bring to a boil and cook until the alcohol is burned off - be careful as the mixture may ignite. Once alcohol is burned off, drop heat to a simmer and add in the pears, making sure they are fully submerged. Pears should simmer for at least 35 to 40 minutes. Remove the pears once they are tender. Return the port to a simmer and cook until reduced by 3/4 and syrupy.
- In a small saucepan, place ginger root and 4 to 5 tablespoons of sugar. Cook until sugar caramelizes. Remove from the heat and place on a parchment lined sheet pan to cool.
- Melt chocolate over a double-boiler.
- Whip cream to stiff peaks. Sweeten with powdered sugar and a pinch of cinnamon. Set aside to chill.
- Use the reduced wine as a sauce or garnish. Once pears are done and tender, place on plate. Fill with chocolate and top with whipped cream. Garnish with candied ginger and drizzle with reduced wine. Serve warm.
PEARS POACHED IN PORT WINE
A delicious and light fruit dessert to end a special meal!
Provided by Marilena Leavitt
Time 35m
Yield serves 2
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a 2-qt saucepan combine the Port wine, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise pod, orange zest and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5-6 minutes.
- Peel the pears and then carefully core them from the bottom, leaving the stem intact.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and then slip the pears into the syrup. Cover and simmer until the pears are tender, basting them occasionally with the wine sauce. This will take about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the pears and how ripe they are. At this point, a knife should slide into the pears with ease.
- Remove the pears from the sauce and set aside. Discard the spices and check the consistency of the syrup. If your syrup is still thin, reduce it over high heat until it is thickened enough to coat a the back of a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly.
- Pour the syrup over the pears, cover and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. Let it sit at room temperature before serving.
- Arrange them on a shallow bowl and drizzle with their syrup.
- If desired, you can serve it with some whipped Mascarpone cheese on the side.
PEARS IN PORT WITH MERINGUE CREAM
This festive make-ahead pudding is a great way to use up leftover port (or red wine)
Provided by Sara Buenfeld
Categories Dessert
Time 2h
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Pour the port into a large pan with 600ml water, add the sugar and cinnamon, then heat until the sugar dissolves. Add the pears, bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 20-30 mins until tender all the way through. They are ready when a cocktail stick can be easily pushed through each one. Depending on the size of your pan, you may need to cook the pears in 2 batches using the same port syrup, or turn the pears several times as they cook so they become an even colour. Let the pears cool in their syrup, preferably overnight to allow the syrup to really stain them. Will keep for 3 days in the fridge.
- Check the consistency of the syrup. If it is very thin, boil it in a pan to reduce the amount and concentrate the flavour.
- To serve, whip the cream with the sugar and vanilla until it holds its shape, then fold in the meringue. Sprinkle with the cinnamon. Arrange the pears in a shallow dish and spoon over the syrup. Allow guests to help themselves to both pears and cream.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 489 calories, Fat 29 grams fat, SaturatedFat 16 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 49 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 49 grams sugar, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 2 grams protein, Sodium 0.06 milligram of sodium
POIRES AU VIN ROUGE (PEARS IN RED WINE)
This is a desert that should please any classy crowd with a simple budget. :)
Provided by Shay
Categories Desserts
Time 5h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Combine the red wine, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, orange zest, fennel seed, peppercorns, and bay leaves in a large saucepan. Peel the pears, and remove the cores from the bottom, leaving the stems intact; set aside. Bring the wine to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Add the pears, return to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue simmering until tender, about 25 minutes.
- Remove the pears from the wine syrup, cover, and refrigerate until cold. Strain the syrup through a mesh sieve, and discard the spices. Simmer the syrup over medium heat until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Refrigerate the syrup until cold.
- Once the syrup is cold, pour over the pears, cover, and chill at least 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 359.2 calories, Carbohydrate 71 g, Fat 0.4 g, Fiber 7.7 g, Protein 1.1 g, Sodium 9.2 mg, Sugar 54.5 g
Tips:
- Use ripe pears that are firm but not too soft.
- Peel and core the pears before cooking.
- Use a good quality port wine that is not too sweet.
- Add spices and herbs to taste, such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Simmer the pears in the port wine until they are tender but still hold their shape.
- Serve the pears warm or at room temperature.
- Garnish with whipped cream or a dollop of crème fraîche.
Conclusion:
The combination of sweet pears and rich port wine is a classic for a reason. This dessert is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. Serve it as a special occasion dessert or enjoy it as a simple treat anytime.
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