Summer Poached Pear Recipe

Date:

This summer, consider trying out poached pears to serve as a delicate dessert.

poached pearsPoached Pears with Chocolate Sauce

Yield: 6 servings

3 cups water

1 1/2 cups sugar

slivered zest from one orange

1 vanilla bean

6 small almost-ripe pears, preferably a firm type like Bosc, Bartlett or Concorde

juice from one orange

1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted in a 300°F. oven until just beginning to color, about 3-5 minutes

3 oz. good quality bittersweet chocolate, cut into small pieces

3/4 cup heavy cream

Combine the water, sugar, orange zest and halved, scraped vanilla bean plus its seeds, in a non-reactive (do not use aluminum or cast iron) pot large enough to accommodate the fruit. Bring to a boil and simmer for a few minutes.

Peel the pears. Gently remove the core from the bottom with a corer or paring knife. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each, so they stand. Place pears in the pan, stem end up. The liquid should just cover the pears. Top this with a round of parchment or waxed paper (cut to size). Bring to a very gentle simmer and cook for 5-20 minutes, just until the pears are tender when pierced with a small knife. Less ripe pears will take longer, riper ones a shorter time. Remove pears and allow to cool to room temperature.

Add the orange juice to poaching syrup and simmer 15-20 minutes, until reduced by half. Pour over pears. May be refrigerated for up to 5 days at this point.

Make the chocolate sauce by bringing the heavy cream to a simmer in a small pan. Add the chocolate and stir, off the heat, until melted. If made in advance, this sauce will need to be re-warmed slightly for serving.

To serve place one pear in each flat bowl, with a little of the syrup. Spoon some warm chocolate sauce over the pear. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and serve.

Grace Baldwin
(Bethany) Grace Baldwin has an Associate Degree in Journalism from Angelina College and is working on a double major of English and Journalism at Stephen F. Austin State University. She thoroughly enjoys reading, writing, and has an indelible passion for words.

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