Poached Pears with Vanilla Sauce |
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Prep Time: 25 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 25 Minutes Servings: 6 |
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This dessert is a great ending to a special-occasion meal. Whole pears are lightly spiced and chilled, then served with a heavenly custard sauce.Al Latimer, Bentonville, Arizona Ingredients:
2-1/3 cups sugar, divided |
2 teaspoons cornstarch |
1 cup milk |
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream |
4 egg yolks, lightly beaten |
1 teaspoon vanilla extract |
10 cups water, divided |
2 tablespoons lemon juice, divided |
6 medium firm pears, stems attached |
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel |
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches) |
3 whole cloves |
Directions:
1. In a heavy 2-qt. saucepan, combine 1/3 cup sugar and cornstarch; gradually stir in milk and cream until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
2. Gradually add a small amount of hot mixture to egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Cook and stir over medium-low heat for 15 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly (do not boil). Stir in vanilla. Pour into a bowl; place a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap on top of sauce. Cover and refrigerate.
3. In a large bowl, combine 6 cups water and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Carefully peel pears, leaving stems attached. Immediately plunge pears into lemon water. In a large saucepan, combine lemon peel, and the remaining sugar, water and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Add cinnamon stick, cloves and pears. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until pears are tender.
4. Carefully remove pears to a plate. Discard cinnamon stick and cloves. Drizzle syrup over pears. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. To serve, place pears on dessert plates; drizzle with chilled vanilla sauce. Yield: 6 servings.
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