Whole poached pears with star anise on a plate, ready to be served with honey, a classic French dessert.

Pears poached in wine

Name: Pears poached in wine
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 5 strong pears; 450 ml white wine (can be replaced with light grape juice); 150 gr sugar; zest of 1/2 orange; pinch of cinnamon, saffron, and anise (2 pieces); 2 tablespoons of honey; 100 gr Greek Yogurt; 2 tablespoons of pine nuts

February 7, 2022 By Olga Babitskaya

Prep Time: 5m

Cook Time: 15m

Pears poached in wine are a classic French dessert, famous for both their elegant look and incredible taste. This recipe takes firm, ripe pears and gently simmers them in a mix of sweet white wine, sugar, and aromatic spices until they are soft and infused with flavor. The leftover liquid is then boiled down into a light, fragrant syrup. Whether you use a red wine sauce or a white blend, slowly poaching this humble fruit transforms it into a truly sophisticated treat.

Ingredients

For the Poached Pears

5 firm, ripe pears
450 ml white wine (or light grape juice for a non-alcoholic option)
150 gr sugar
Zest of 1/2 orange
Pinch of cinnamon, saffron, and 2 pieces of star anise (or whole anise pods)
100 gr Greek Yogurt
2 tablespoons of pine nuts

For Serving Poached Pears

2 tablespoons of honey

Instructions

Start by combining the spices, white wine (or grape juice), and sugar in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil. While it heats up, carefully peel the pears. Once the syrup is boiling, gently lower the fruit into the pot. Let it reach a boil again, then drop the heat to the absolute minimum—you want the liquid to barely simmer. Cook for about 12 to 15 minutes until tender, though keep in mind that the time will vary depending on the size of the fruit. Turn off the heat and let them cool completely right in the syrup.
Once everything has cooled down, you have a few delicious ways to serve this dish:
1. Syrup and ice cream: You can reduce the remaining poaching liquid over medium heat until it turns into a thicker syrup. Drizzle this over the fruit and serve alongside a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
2. Simple and sweet: For a quicker option, simply sprinkle the cooled pears with honey and enjoy them as they are. Feel free to add a crunchy topping or a scoop of ice cream if you like.
3. Signature serving: To create a classic French dessert presentation, gently roast a handful of pine nuts in a dry frying pan until they turn golden. Place the tender pears on a plate with a dollop of thick Greek yogurt, drizzle generously with honey, and scatter the toasted pine nuts on top. The contrast of textures and flavors is wonderful.