Imagine a dessert so delicate, so refined, that it looks like it was crafted by a Parisian pastry chef—yet it's surprisingly simple to create in your own kitchen. These Simply Poached Vanilla Pears are a culinary magic trick that transforms ordinary fruit into an extraordinary delicacy, infusing each pear with a luxurious vanilla essence that will make your taste buds dance with delight. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a sophisticated dessert, this recipe is your ticket to gourmet elegance without the complicated techniques.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 ripe pears, peeled
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 cups water
- 1 vanilla bean, split
Instructions
- Select ripe but firm pears, preferably Bosc or Anjou varieties, which hold their shape well during poaching.
- Carefully peel the pears, keeping their elegant shape intact. Use a sharp vegetable peeler and remove the skin in smooth, even strokes from top to bottom.
- Using a small paring knife, remove the core from the bottom of each pear, creating a clean, hollow center without breaking the fruit's structure.
- In a wide, deep saucepan, combine water and sugar, creating a light syrup. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise with a sharp knife, scraping out the tiny seeds.
- Add both the vanilla bean pod and seeds to the sugar syrup, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves over medium heat.
- Gently lower the peeled pears into the simmering vanilla syrup, ensuring they are fully submerged. Reduce heat to low, maintaining a gentle simmer.
- Poach the pears for approximately 15-20 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking and beautiful coloration.
- Test pear doneness by inserting a sharp knife into the thickest part - it should slide in smoothly with minimal resistance.
- Carefully remove pears from syrup using a slotted spoon and transfer to a serving dish. Let them cool slightly.
- If desired, reduce the remaining syrup by simmering until it becomes slightly thickened, creating an elegant sauce to drizzle over the pears.
Tips
- Choose the Right Pears: Select firm, ripe pears like Bosc or Anjou that will maintain their shape during poaching.
- Peeling Technique: Use a sharp vegetable peeler and peel in smooth, downward strokes to keep the pear's elegant silhouette.
- Vanilla Bean Secrets: Split and scrape the vanilla bean to release maximum flavor into your syrup.
- Gentle Poaching is Key: Maintain a low, gentle simmer to ensure even cooking and prevent the pears from becoming mushy.
- Check Doneness Carefully: A knife should slide in smoothly but with slight resistance—this indicates perfectly poached pears.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve slightly warm with a drizzle of reduced syrup for an extra touch of elegance.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 160kcal
Carbohydrates: 41g
Protein: g
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
