Mulled Wine Poached Pears
Indulge in the warmth of Mulled Wine Poached Pears, a delightful dessert that transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dish. Each pear is poached to perfection in a spiced red wine mixture, creating a tender texture and rich flavor profile that tantalizes the taste buds. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy dinners, this recipe is sure to impress your guests and create lasting memories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Poaching
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 firm Bosc or Anjou pears, peeled and stems intact
- 2 cups dry red wine (like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or honey)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise pods
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Prepare your pears by peeling them while keeping the stems intact.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine red wine, sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Simmer gently until aromatic.
- Carefully add the pears upright into the simmering wine mixture, spooning liquid over them for even flavor.
- Poach the pears for 20-25 minutes until tender but not mushy; test doneness with a fork.
- Remove pears from the pot and let cool slightly. Increase heat to reduce poaching liquid by half until thickened.
- Serve warm or chilled, drizzled with reduced sauce. Garnish with whipped cream or nuts if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pear (100g)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: For lighter flavor, substitute red wine with white wine like Riesling. Enhance flavors by adding fresh ginger or a splash of orange juice. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days; gently reheat before serving.