The Food Gene

Spiced Poached Pears

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

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

Prep
10 mins
Cook
40 mins
Serves
4
Level
Beginner
  • 4 firm pears, peeled, stalks left on
  • 750 ml water
  • 150 g caster sugar
  • 1 orange, peel only (in wide strips)
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 star anise
  1. Make the syrup. Heat the water, sugar, orange peel and spices in a pan just big enough for the pears, until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Poach. Add the pears, cover with a circle of baking paper and simmer gently for 25–30 minutes until a knife slides in easily. (28:00)
  3. Reduce. Lift out the pears and boil the syrup for 10 minutes until slightly thick. Pour over the pears. (10:00)
  4. Serve. Serve warm, or chill and serve cold.

Chef’s 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.

Nutrition

Approximate values per serving
Energy 222 kcal 929 kJ
Fat 0.1 g
of which saturates 0 g
Carbohydrate 52.5 g
of which sugars 52.5 g
Fibre 4.7 g
Protein 0.5 g
Salt 0 g