Poires au Vin Rouge: A Classic French Dessert Recipe

Poires au Vin Rouge is a classic French dessert that combines the sweetness of ripe pears with the richness of red wine. This elegant dessert is often served during the fall and winter months, as the warm, spiced wine infuses the pears with a delightful flavor. The pears are poached in red wine, sugar, and spices until tender, and then served with a drizzle of the reduced wine syrup. This recipe is easy to make and will impress your guests with its sophisticated flavors.

Ingredients

• 4 ripe pears
• 1 bottle of red wine (preferably a full-bodied variety)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 star anise pods
• 1 vanilla bean, split
• Zest of 1 orange

Directions

1. Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. Cut a small slice off the bottom of each pear to create a flat surface for them to stand on.
2. In a large saucepan, combine the red wine, sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise pods, vanilla bean, and orange zest. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
3. Add the pears to the saucepan, making sure they are completely submerged in the liquid. If necessary, add more wine or water to cover the pears.
4. Reduce the heat to low and let the pears simmer gently for about 30-40 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. Carefully turn the pears occasionally to ensure even cooking.
5. Once the pears are cooked, remove them from the saucepan using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a serving dish. Discard the cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise pods, vanilla bean, and orange zest.
6. Increase the heat to medium-high and let the wine mixture boil until it has reduced by about half and has a syrupy consistency, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat.
7. Pour the reduced wine syrup over the pears and let them cool to room temperature. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the pears and serve them chilled.
8. To serve, place a pear on a dessert plate and spoon some of the wine syrup over it. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or a dusting of powdered sugar, if desired.
9. Enjoy this exquisite French dessert with a glass of the same red wine used in the recipe!

Interesting Facts