Easy Poached Pears

Name: Easy Poached Pears
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: Zest of 1 lemon, cut into thin strips; 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half; 0.25 teaspoon ground allspice; 0.25 teaspoon ground pepper; 3 cups apple cider; 1 cup water; 8 Bosc pears (with stems), peeled and cored from bottom; Lemon sorbet, for serving (optional)

3.1

(146)

By

Martha Stewart Editors

Updated on November 17, 2022

Prep Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

45 mins

Servings:

8

Poached pears are a charming, elegant dessert—and they're easy to make. Bosc pears, which hold their shape well when poached, are gently cooked in a mix of apple cider, lemon zest, cinnamon, and allspice—with black pepper adding a subtle kick. Once the pears are tender, they are removed from the poaching liquid. The liquid is cooked down until it's syrupy, then poured over the pears. A dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche is all you need for serving, but a scoop of lemon sorbet is another delicious—and dairy-free—option.

Ingredients

Zest of 1 lemon, cut into thin strips
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
3 cups apple cider
1 cup water
8 Bosc pears (with stems), peeled and cored from bottom
Lemon sorbet, for serving (optional)

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine lemon zest, cinnamon stick, allspice, ground pepper, apple cider, and water.
Add pears. Cover with waxed paper to prevent discoloring. Bring to a simmer. Cook, turning pears occasionally, until easily pierced with the tip of a paring knife, but not falling apart, about 20 minutes. Remove pears from liquid; transfer to large bowl.
Raise heat to high; boil cider mixture until reduced to a syrup, about 15 minutes. Discard cinnamon. Pour syrup over pears; refrigerate. To serve, slice off a sliver from the bottom of each pear (so it stands upright). Serve pears with lemon sorbet, if desired.