How to Make Poached Pears (Poires Pochees) - A Step-by-Step Guide

There are few desserts as elegant and refined as poached pears, or poires pochees in French. This classic dessert is not only visually stunning, but also incredibly delicious and surprisingly simple to make. Poaching the pears in a fragrant, sweet liquid infuses them with flavor and creates a tender, delicate texture that is truly irresistible. Whether you're looking for a show-stopping dessert for a dinner party or just want to treat yourself to something special, poached pears are the perfe...

Read more

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 4 pears
  • 2 cups red wine
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 star anise

Information

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Additional Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 35 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 4 pears

  • Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add lemon juice and pears and let sit for 2 minutes. Remove pears from the hot water 1 at a time and carefully peel, leaving stem intact.
  • Combine wine, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and star anise in a medium-sized saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Rinse pears and add to the boiling wine mixture. Use a plate on top of pears to keep them submerged. Simmer until a knife very easily pierces the pears, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and allow pears to cool in the wine mixture.
  • Serve pears in a bowl, either whole or sliced and cored.
  • Nutrition

    590 cal.

    • Total Fat: 0g
    • Sodium: 10mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 130g
    • Dietary Fiber: 6g
    • Total Sugars: 117g
    • Protein: 1g
    • Vitamin C: 10mg
    • Calcium: 37mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 366mg