Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Vanilla-Ginger Asian Pears 2.0 (5) By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 9, 2019 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Prep Time: 10 mins Total Time: 1 hrs Servings: 4 The crisp, juicy texture and sweet, almost-floral flavor of Asian pears require little accompaniment. These pears do not soften when ripe; choose uniformly firm, unblemished fruit when shopping. Ingredients 2 medium Asian pears, cored and quartered 1 piece (2 inches) ginger, thinly sliced 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped, pod reserved 1 cup packed light-brown sugar 4 cups water Store-bought cookies, such as Jules Destrooper wafers, for serving (optional) Directions Cut each pear quarter lengthwise into 4 slices, and place in a large bowl. Bring ginger, vanilla seeds and pod, sugar, and water to a boil in a small saucepan for 3 minutes. Pour mixture over pears. Press a piece of parchment directly on surface, and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour. Discard vanilla pod and ginger. Divide pears among 4 bowls, and serve with cookies or wafers on the side if desired. Print