Winter Warming Chinese Herb Poached Pears
Sunday, January 11th, 2009Organic/natural tastes best.
For all of you pear lovers out there and especially for the unbelievers, like me, this is a winner.
Sweet, soft, tart and tangy.
I never thought pears could taste this good!
You’ll need:
3/4 Cup Fresh squeezed orange juice
1/4 Cup Tangerine Peel
2 Tablespoons chopped Dates or Whole Golden Raisins
1 Tablespoon Whole Cloves
3/4 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract
2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
4 Bosc Pears peeled, cut in half lengthwise and cored
A touch of your favorite slightly sweet liquor for that little extra…
warmth. A little brandy anyone? Maybe Tuaca? mmmm
To prepare:
Bring all ingredients except for pears to boil in large saucepan. Add pears and reduce heat so that liquid simmers gently. Cover and cook until pears are soft but not mushy when pricked with a fork, 20-35 minutes. Use slotted spoon to remove pears from pan and transfer to serving bowl. Pour liquid in pan through a strainer and discard herbs. Return strained liquid to pan and bring to boil. Simmer until reduced to thick glaze, about 8-9 minutes. Pour glaze over pears. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Alternately, you may cook pears in the liquid covered on low, for about 30 minutes, then remove the cover and let simmer for about 10 minutes more, the liquid will reduce and thicken. Place pears on individual plates and carefully pour glaze on each pear, using the strainer to trap the herbs as you serve individually. Garnish with fresh strawberry halves, mandarin orange slices or fresh mint leaves. Absolutely luscious!