Elegant Delight: White Wine and Amaretto Poached Pears

Poached Pears on a serving platw

A Celebration of Elegance and Flavor

Step into a world of culinary delight with our enchanting recipe for White Wine and Amaretto Poached Pears - a dessert that's both simple and elegant.

Crafted for our New Year's Eve celebration this year and met with wows and yums, these poached pears are not just a treat for the taste buds but a celebration in themselves.

If you're looking to impress for Valentine's Day or any special occasion, be sure to add this incredibly delicious dessert to your recipe file.

Group of Bosc Pears

Ingredients:

  • 4 ripe but firm pears (Bosc or Anjou) - we prefer Bosc
  • 2 cups of your favorite white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 1 cup amaretto liqueur
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped (or 1 teaspoon organic vanilla bean paste)
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 star anise
  • Zest of one lemon
  • A pinch of salt
 

Instructions:

Prepare the Pears:

  1. Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact for a touch of elegance.
  2. Carefully core the pears from the bottom, ensuring to keep them whole.
  3. If the pears cannot stand on their own, trim the base slightly, using a sharp knife, so that the pears can stand upright.

Poaching Liquid:

  1. In a large saucepan, combine the white wine, amaretto, sugar, vanilla bean (including scraped seeds), cinnamon stick, star anise, lemon zest, and a small pinch of salt.
  2. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.

Poaching the Pears:

  1. Place the prepared pears into the simmering liquid, ensuring they are fully submerged. We generally cover our pears with a cartouche to insure they remain under the poaching liquid.
  2. Let the pears poach for 20-25 minutes or until they are tender but still hold their shape — a paring knife tip should easily pierce the flesh.

Amaretto Syrup:

  1. Once the pears are poached, remove them from the liquid and set aside.
  2. Bring the poaching liquid to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.
  3. Allow the liquid to reduce by half, creating a luscious amaretto syrup.

Chill and Serve:

  1. Let the amaretto syrup cool to room temperature before drizzling it over the chilled poached pears. 

Poached Pear with White Wine-Amaretto Sauce

Pro Tips:

Choose Almost Ripe Pears: Use ripe but firm pears to ensure they hold their shape during the poaching process.

Enhance the Aroma: Add a few whole cloves to the poaching liquid for an extra layer of aroma.

Wine Selection Matters: Pick a dry white wine that you enjoy drinking. The flavor of the wine will significantly influence the final taste of the dish.

Serve with Style: Plate the poached pears on a pool of the reduced poaching liquid for a stunning presentation. Garnish with a sprig of mint or shaved dark chocolate for texture and a pop of color. For an over-the-top presentation garnish with edible gold leaf flakes.

Servings and Time Breakdown:

Servings: This recipe serves 4 people.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Reducing Time: 15-20 minutes minimum
Chilling Time: 2 hours
 
 
Poached Pear with White Wine-Amaretto Sauce Close-up

Dive into this simple dessert masterpiece, and let the sweet, aromatic symphony of white wine and amaretto poached pears with a decadent amaretto syrup transport you to a world of pure yum. Elevate your special moments with a dessert that is a delightful celebration in each bite.

As always, reach out to The Small Town Chef with any questions or comments. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

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