Name: Vanilla Poached Pears
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 5 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 cups water; 0.5 cup sugar; 5 pears; 0.5 cinnamon stick; 1 star anise; 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Vanilla Poached Pears

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Vanilla Poached Pears

Instructions

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Instructions

Wash and peel the pears.

Place the pears in a large pot with the water. Add the sugar, cinnamon, anise, and vanilla.

Bring to boil and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes or until the pears are tender and the liquid is thickened like syrup.

Serve pears warm on their own, or with a bit of the leftover syrup.

Garnish with a bit of cinnamon, caramel sauce, or you can also use an anise star which looks really beautiful when serving it at an event.

Enjoy!

Notes

Poached pears can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can even prep poached pears ahead of time. You can make them 2 days in advance, once the pears are tender, turn off the heat and let the liquid and pears cool completely. Transfer the pears to a container and cover with the cooled poaching liquid. Then reheat just before serving.

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Choose Firm Pears at Peak Ripeness 🍐
Select pears that yield slightly to gentle pressure but are still firm enough to hold their shape during poaching; overly ripe pears will become mushy and fall apart in the liquid.
Peel and Poach Immediately 🔪
After peeling, immediately place pears in the simmering liquid to prevent oxidation and browning, which keeps them looking beautiful and pale.
Simmer Low and Slow for Tender Results 🌡️
Maintain a gentle simmer (not a rolling boil) for 12-18 minutes to ensure the pears cook evenly and become tender without splitting or becoming grainy.
Infuse Vanilla Late for Maximum Flavor 🌸
Add vanilla extract in the final 2 minutes of cooking rather than at the start to preserve its delicate aromatic compounds and prevent the flavor from cooking away.
Chill in the Poaching Liquid Overnight 🧊
Refrigerate finished pears in their cooking liquid for at least 8 hours so they absorb maximum flavor and develop a silky, luxurious texture throughout.