The perfect not-too-sweet dessert for festive occasions! These gorgeous pears are an impressive and simple dessert that can be made in advance.
Red Wine & Honey Poached Pears
Recipe by the Clif Family Culinary Team
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups Clif Family Red Wine such as Gary’s Improv Zinfandel or Bici Rhone-Style Red Blend
1/4 cup Clif Family Solar Grown™ Raw Honey
4 small Anjou or Bosc pears (not Bartlett as texture softens too much when warmed)
DIRECTIONS:
Find a saucepan that is just large enough for the pears to fit snugly. Add the wine and honey to the empty saucepan and bring to a simmer.
Peel the pears just as the poaching liquid comes to a simmer. If peeled too early and allowed to sit, the pears will start to discolor.
Lower the peeled pears into the poaching liquid. Let the pears poach in the liquid on medium-low heat (simmering) for 15-20 minutes, rotating the pears if needed every 5 minutes to ensure they poach evenly on all sides, including the tops of the pears. Once the pears have been poached, keep them upright in the poaching liquid, and remove the saucepan from the heat to allow the pears to cool down in the poaching liquid. The pears can be held in the poaching liquid for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator as they will continue to soak up flavor.
Before serving, remove the pears from the poaching liquid and leave them on a plate, covered with plastic wrap. Heat the remaining liquid in the saucepan, and bring it to a simmer. Simmer for a few minutes until the liquid thickens slightly into a syrup.
To serve, pour a little wine syrup over individual pears, paired alongside biscotti and some whipped mascarpone or cream.