Spiced Poached Pears

Whole pears gently poached in a spiced syrup until glossy and tender.

The Food Gene · https://thefoodgene.com/recipe/spiced-poached-pears/

Prep
10 mins
Cook
30 mins
Yield
Serves 4
Level
Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 firm pears, peeled, stalks left on
  • 750 ml water
  • 150 g caster sugar
  • 1 orange, peel only
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 star anise

Method

  1. Make the syrup. Heat the water, sugar, orange peel and spices in a pan until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Poach. Add the pears, cover with a circle of baking paper and simmer gently for 25–30 minutes until tender.
  3. Reduce. Lift out the pears and boil the syrup for 10 minutes until slightly thick. Pour over the pears.

Chef tip

The paper circle keeps the pears under the syrup so they colour evenly.

Storage

Keeps 4 days in the fridge in the syrup.

Swap it

Use red wine instead of half the water.