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Poached Pears in Red Wine with Vanilla and Star Anise

Poached Pears in Red Wine with Vanilla and Star Anise

Prep time: 45 minServes: 6

Pairs with

You poached the pears in red wine — serve the same kind alongside, ideally a little nicer than what you cooked with. Or a Maury, Banyuls, or other naturally sweet red.

Ingredients

  • 6 firm pears (Conference or Kaiser), peeled but with stems intact
  • 1 bottle red wine (750ml)
  • 200g caster sugar
  • 1 vanilla pod, split
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • Peel of 1 orange
  • Mascarpone or crème fraîche to serve

Method

  1. 11. Pour wine into a pan just big enough to hold all pears upright. Add sugar, vanilla, star anise, cinnamon, and orange peel. Bring to a boil, stir until sugar dissolves.
  2. 22. Lower the pears into the wine. They should be almost submerged — add water if needed.
  3. 33. Poach gently 30–40 minutes (depending on ripeness) until translucent and a knife slides in without resistance.
  4. 44. Lift out the pears carefully. Reduce the poaching liquid to a thick syrup (about 15 minutes).
  5. 55. Pour syrup over the pears. Chill if you like — or serve warm.
  6. 66. Serve with a dollop of mascarpone or crème fraîche.