Poached pears are a great way to get in one of your five daily fruit portions.This is a classic that is easy to prepare.You can either serve them plain or with ice cream, chocolate, or any of your favorite sweets, if you want to give them a distinct flavor.
Step 1: The pears need to be removed.
Cut in half.You can scoop out the seeds with a spoon or melon baller.If you prefer, you can quarter the pears instead of halving them.You can use any type of pear you want, though some are better than others for poaching because they tend to keep their shape better.Pears that are great for cooking include Beurre Bosc, Conference, and Tiny Seckel.Pears like the Anjou and Comice tend to fall apart when you steal them.
Step 2: Prepare the syrup.
Add 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 drops of vanilla essence to the pan of water.When the mixture is warm, the sugar is dissolved in the water.You can add any of the following: 1/2 cinnamon stick.Whole cloves, 1 lemon quarter, black peppercorns, 1-2 star anise, and 3-4 slices ginger.If you prefer, you can add 1/2 a cup of honey instead of sugar.If you want more flavor in the syrup, you can make a mixture of water, white wine, and red wine.
Step 3: Put the pears in a bowl.
The pear halves should be spooned into the boiling water.The pears are going to cook if you keep your liquid boiling.You don't want them to get wet.You can cut a piece of paper with a large hole in the center to make sure the pears aren't floating up and down.The poaches should be submerged in the liquid.
Step 4: If the pears are soft, you should stick a knife into them.
You can use a fork as well.The pears are ready if you stick the fork in them.If they feel too hard, leave to poach for a little longer.You can add 1/2 cup of sour cherries, cranberries, or raisins to the liquid once the pears are done.
Step 5: The pears should be spooned into a bowl.
You can either pour some of the syrup over the pears or reduce it and then pour it over them.Allow them to cool in their liquid for at least 10 minutes.
Step 6: You can add a topping or side of your choice.
You can serve the pear with cream, a scoop of ice cream and dark chocolate sauce, fresh fruit, chocolate, crme frache, or even next to a gingerbread or a spice cake.
Step 7: Place your oven at 400F.
Place a large baking sheet in the oven.
Step 8: Peel, core, and slice your fruit.
Peel the skin off your pear, core it, and slice it into wedges.
Step 9: Make sure you have your foil ready.
Place one of the 4 sheets of foil on a work surface.
Step 10: The pear wedges should be on the other half of the foil.
Place the wedges from one half of a pear on the foil to make them overlap.
Step 11: Add the other ingredients.
There is 1 tablespoon.Sprinkle honey over the pears.A quarter of a cup of currants.There is a lemon peel and a pinch of nutmeg.The foil should be folded over the pears so they are completely encased in it.The edges of the pears can be crimped.
Step 12: Pick up the ingredients and pear wedges again.
Place the rest of the pear wedges on the foil and wrap them around the ingredients.
Step 13: For 5 minutes, place the pears on the baking sheet.
Wait for them to cool completely, which should take at least 15 minutes, and cook them until they are tender.
Step 14: The pears are in the foil packets.
The juices from the cooked pears should be kept in the packets.
Step 15: Take care.
You can serve the pears in their juices.There is a lot of yogurt.