Festive Red Wine Poached Pears

4.55 from 22 votes

Festive Red Wine Poached Pears

Take your holiday desserts to the next level with red wine poached pears! Juicy pears are simmered in a spiced wine mixture, creating a cozy, melt-in-your-mouth treat that's ready in just 30 minutes.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: French

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Keyword: dessert, fruit, gluten free, holiday, holiday party, pears, sweet

Servings: servings

Calories:

Author: Lena Gladstone

Ingredients

POACHING

4 firm but ripe pears with the stem intact, peeled, cored and cut in half longwise
1.5 L bottle merlot or your favorite red wine
3/4 cup sugar
1 large orange, juiced (about 1/2 cup)
6 long strips orange peel (1 by 4-inch)
2 tbsp vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean, cut in half

SERVING

4-8 scoops Private Selection™ Double Vanilla Ice Cream
1 cup, divided in 1/4 Private Selection™ Madagascar Vanilla & Honey Almonds, chopped

Instructions

Combine wine, sugar, orange peel, orange juice and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
While poaching liquid is simmering, peel pears, leaving the stem intact and being careful not to bruise the pears, cut in half and core, I use a melon baller).
Cut a piece of parchment paper into a circle that fits in the pot, make an X for steam to escape. This will act as a lid. Cover the pears with the parchment paper.
Simmer the pears for about 15-20 minutes. Gently turning every 5 minutes with a slotted spoon to ensure even color. Pears should be cooked but still firm. Cool at room temperature, turning occasionally to ensure even color.
To assemble, add two halves of pears with a scoop or two of Double Vanilla ice cream and chopped Madagascar Vanilla & Honey Almonds. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition