Persian Poached Pears

  Desserts

These fragrant pears are a dramatic way to finish off a Middle Eastern feast. They’re delicious, aromatic and an unusual twist on basic poached pears.

Persian Poached Pears

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Cook: 50 min. + chilling
YIELD: 2 servings.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium firm pears
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 2-1/4 cups water
  • 1/2 cup white grape juice
  • 2 dried apricots, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 lemon zest strip
  • 1 whole clove
  • 2 tablespoons chopped almonds, toasted

Instructions

  • 1. Core pears from the bottom, leaving stems intact. Peel pears; cut 1/4 in. from the bottom of each to level if necessary. Split vanilla bean and scrape seeds; set aside.
  • 2. In a small saucepan, combine the water, grape juice, apricots, sugar, honey, lemon strip, clove, vanilla bean and seeds. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; place pears on their sides in saucepan and poach, uncovered, for 18-22 minutes or until pears are almost tender, basting occasionally with poaching liquid.
  • 3. Remove pears and apricots with a slotted spoon; cool slightly. Cover and refrigerate. Bring poaching liquid to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup. Discard the vanilla bean, lemon strip and clove. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • 4. Place pears on dessert plates. Drizzle with poaching liquid. Sprinkle with apricots and almonds.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 258 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 6mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (44g sugars, 7g fiber), 3g protein.

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