Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a dessert that's both elegant and irresistibly delicious! Imagine tender, silky pears infused with the subtle, aromatic essence of rosemary, then dramatically draped in a rich, glossy chocolate sauce. This French-inspired delicacy transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that will make you look like a professional pastry chef – without spending hours in the kitchen!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 ripe pears
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 cup dark chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the pears. Choose ripe, but firm pears for poaching. Rinse them under cold water, then peel them carefully, leaving the stems intact. Cut a small slice from the bottom of each pear to help them stand upright in the poaching liquid.
- In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, add the 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary to the saucepan. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer, infusing the water with the aromatic flavor of the rosemary.
- Carefully add the peeled pears to the simmering liquid. Ensure that the pears are mostly submerged in the liquid. If necessary, use a lid or a piece of parchment paper to weigh them down.
- Poach the pears for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the ripeness of the pears.
- While the pears are poaching, prepare the chocolate sauce. In a separate saucepan, combine 1 cup of chopped dark chocolate and 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Place the saucepan over low heat.
- Stir the chocolate and cream together gently until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Be careful not to let it boil.
- Once the pears are done poaching, remove them from the saucepan and place them on a serving dish. Discard the rosemary sprigs from the poaching liquid.
- Drizzle the warm chocolate sauce over the poached pears, allowing it to cascade down the sides.
- Serve the pears warm or at room temperature, garnished with additional rosemary sprigs if desired. Enjoy your elegant French dessert!
Tips
- • Choose firm, ripe pears to ensure they hold their shape during poaching • Use a vegetable peeler to create smooth, even pear surfaces • Keep the heat low and steady when poaching to prevent the pears from breaking apart • Test pear tenderness with a fork – they should yield gently but not be mushy • For an extra touch of elegance, use a high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content • Serve immediately for the best texture and temperature contrast between the warm pears and chocolate sauce • If you want to prepare ahead, you can poach the pears a few hours in advance and gently reheat before serving
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 25mg
