Wine Poached Pears are simple yet so elegant and perfect to show off at any party. Simmering pears in red wine and some spices enhances the sweetness of the fruit and adds warm flavor. Wine poached pear takes some time as you want to slow cook but overall it is very effortless.
Poached pears are perfect Fall desserts, and you don't have to restrict to wine. Although, wine poached pear does have its charm.
Wine Poached Pear is a classic French dessert, and I believe it started as a way to enjoy unripe pears. A great way to maximize their harvest without wasting or throwing away unripe fruits.
I love to serve it mildly warm and then topped it with reduced red wine sauce and some whipped cream. You can make it extra special by adding mascarpone cheese too.
What Pears are best for Wine Poached Pear
I personally prefer Bosc Pears for two different reason.
- The texture is smooth and not too fibrous. It is dense and crunchy. Makes it easy to cut through and melts in the mouth at every bite.
- The shape is gorgeous and stands tall when served. Looks utterly incredible, like a showstopper dessert.
KEY POINT - You want to pick pears that are not over ripe. As the pears poach for a while in the spiced liquid, it will cook and soften. So you definitely don't want the over ripe ones.
Just feel the pears and it should feel firm. Also, the skin should be smooth. Wrinkled skin means over ripe pears.
Wine selection for Wine Poached Pears
Preferably fruit-forward red wine. I used Merlot. But if you are using lots of whole spices for the aroma then go for any good red wine, something not too expensive, probably.
It is said that Zinfandel, Shiraz, or Merlot works best. I prefer Merlot!
Spices used:
Star Anise
Cloves
Bay leaves
Cinnamon Sticks
Cardamoms
The Red Wine Sauce
After the pears are poached to the perfect texture, I take it out and reduce the sauce further, add little butter to turn into this delicious red wine sauce.
The red wine sauce is not only delicious on the poached pear, you can also save it and use it with grilled steak.
What other sauce can be used ?
Instead of reducing the red wine, you can strain it and drink it as warm mulled wine.
A simple chocolate sauce works great too on wine poached pears.
How to use poached pear?
You can enjoy it as it with whipped cream or mascarpone cheese.
Poached pears are great with waffles or pancakes.
You can also use the poached pears on chocolate cake. Here is a recipe you can try.
This Holiday Season, wow yours friends and family with this simple but gorgeous looking dessert. You won't believe how easy and flavorful this dessert is, until you give it a try!
Wine poached Pear with Chocolate and Mint sauce
Ingredients
- 4 ripe and firm pears (I used bosc pears)
- 1-½ cup red wine (I used Merlot)
- ½ cup white/brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2- star anise
- 2 bay leaves
- few cardamoms
- 2 tablespoons butter (this is for the red wine sauce)
Instructions
- Peel the pears and try to retain the stem.
- In a sauce pan big enough to fit all the pears, pour the wine, lemon juice, vanilla extract along with sugar and all the whole spices. Bring it to boil and then bring down the heat to let it simmers for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, gently place the pears and let it simmer in medium low heat for 15 minutes.
- Toss the pear to the other side very gently and let it continue to simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Gently poke the pear with a knife. If it feels soft, it is ready.
- Carefully remove the pears to a serving plate.
- Continue simmering the wine until it's reduced a lot. When it starts to look sauce like consistency, add the butter and whisk. The butter will add a creamy, rich taste to the wine poached pear.
- Strain the sauce to a serving cup.
- Whipped heavy cream or mascarpone cheese to serve along with the wine poached pear and red wine sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Vijitha
I have been wanting to try this dessert for a long time. But kept it for the future days. Sounds simple and easy na? Gorgeous clicks. I loved the pears with a rustic backdrop the most. See you soon. Hugs!
Priya
Happy pear couple, celebrating the Valentines day!
So wet and wild...I'm left alone infront of my computer with a great treat for eyes, a longing taste buds and sweet tooth. Food porn, like prerna says, is an apt word!
Jeno @ Week Nite Meals
Awww, it's so sweet that your husband brought your favorite flowers to celebrate V-Day! The poached pears turned out absolutely gorgeous, I am not a big fan of mint and chocolate, though I am sure it was a wonderful combination with the pears. Thank you for sharing, as always, I love looking at your photography works!
sally
What a beautiful dessert! It looks perfect for Valentine's Day.
Soma
Happy Valentine's Day. Poached pears are one of our fave. and easiest desserts to make. Love it. Beautiful photographs Kankana.
Joanne
I don't typically LOVE V-Day but a day dedicated to decadent desserts? I'll take it! This looks SO good.
Soni
I also make poached pears,aren't they just fantastic!! But haven't tried them with the chocolate sauce.Sure looks delicious!!
Rose ( Magpie's Recipes)
How pretty is that?! happy Vday girl! So waiting to see you and the others 🙂
Medeja
That is something I always wanted to try 🙂
Rosa
A gorgeous dessert! I love poached pears. Lovely color.
We keep Valentine's Day low key and always stay home.
Cheers,
Rosa
Maja
Oh my God, Kanakana, this looks truly spectacular: nothing can beat this fancy dessert, pears and red wine 🙂 I love the sauce, too!
I love your photos, they are truly amazing!
kisses
Kulsum at JourneyKitchen
Love the color here! So pretty.
Reem | Simply Reem
Opps sorry pressed enter in mid... LOL
These pears look fantastic, i have to agree with nami, with juice or flavored water kids can share them too...
Lovely pics babes...
Reem | Simply Reem
I totally agree with you, Valentine and eating out is a combination for stress...
B/W with 2 kids we prefer celebrating low key...
Amy Tong
Looks lovely. I've never made poached pear before and it sound super easy and delicious. The mint chocolate sauce sounds wonderful with these pears too. Love your photography! Simply stunning. 🙂
Liren
I agree that Valentines is all the more sweet when celebrated at home! It has always been like that for us, even before the kids and the difficulty of finding a sitter presented itself. These pears are just jewels under your hands...you make it look so easy! And gorgeous!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
I honestly didn't know poached pear is this easy. It always looks fancy so I assume it requires some technique or special skills. I'll need to try with wine for my husband and maybe if it's too much alcohol taste, I use the method you just answered in earlier comment. That way kids and I can share. 🙂 I like the chocolate sauce pouring on the pear. The plate is small, so you only had a few seconds to take a perfect shot before overflowing from the plate...and you nailed it! 😉
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
Love the gorgeous color the wine gives the pears.
Ambika
Absolutely gorgeous poached pears! I have been seeing these for a while and have been wanting to try them! We also like it quiet and cozy, I cooked up a Indo-Chinese meal for hubby dear and happily ate at home, no dessert trouble because he doesn't really have a sweet tooth! I also need to try out mint and chocolate together, its not one of my favorites either. I only like the breath mints at olive garden :D, nothing more than that!
Grishma
Kankana, it's just perfectly gorgeous! Today only i bought some fabulous pears thinking will make poached pear and here u r with this delicious looking poached pears! Making it very soon babe! Thank u!
BTW what can I use to substitute red wine?
Kankana Saxena
Thanks 🙂 If you are looking for color use cranberry juice or pomegranate juice but if you don't care for the red color.. use any fruit juice you like or vanilla with water. Hope this helps babe. Let me know hoe it turns out 🙂
Grishma
Aahh make sense! And yes it helps. Will let u know once I make it. Thanks!