Poached Pear Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 pears (See Note 1)
• 2 cups medium dry red wine (See Note 2)
• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 6 whole cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns (whole or cracked)

Instructions

1. 1

   Place red wine, sugar, water, balsamic vinegar, cinnamon stick, whole cloves and black pepper into a medium size pot that will snuggly fit the pears.

2. 2

   Bring to the boil.

3. 3

   While waiting for the wine to boil, peel pears.

4. 4

   Prepare baking paper cartouche. See notes.

5. 5

   When the wine mixture is boiling, stir to dissolve sugar.

6. 6

   Gently lower peeled pears into the wine and reduce to a simmer.

7. 7

   Scrunch prepared baking paper and place over pears using the back of a spoon to press down.

8. 8

   Cover pan with the lid and simmer for 20 minutes.

9. 9

   Remove the lid. Lift the paper cartouche and turn pears over and replace paper.

10. 10

    Continue to simmer, uncovered for 20-30 minutes or until tender. Pierce with a skewer or knife to check.

11. 11

    Remove pears with a slotted spoon to a plate.

12. 12

    The syrup should have reduced to 1 cup. If not, simmer to reduce to 1 cup.

13. 13

    If reduced to less than a cup, add enough water to bring the syrup to one cup.

14. 14

    Strain syrup.

15. 15

    Cool pears and syrup.

16. 16

    Serve pears with syrup at room temperature or chilled.

17. 17

    Delicious with vanilla ice cream