Poached Pears in red wine with pear crisps

Recipe Categories : | All desserts | Pears |

Ingredients :

• 1 medium sized pear
• ½ cup castor sugar
• ½ cup water
• 1¾ pints nut flavored ice cream
  For Poached Pears :
• 2 cups red wine
• 2 cups water
• ½ cup Cointreau
• 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
• 4 strips orange peel
• ¾ cup castor sugar
• 6 medium sized pears

Preparation and Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the unpeeled pear very thinly. Preheat oven to 250°F.
2. Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan; stir over the heat, without boiling, until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to the boil, simmer, uncovered, for about 5 minutes or until thickened slightly. Add the pear slices to syrup, simmer for about 5 minutes or until the pear is just tender, drain.
3. Arrange pear slices in a single layer on a baking tray (lined with paper). Bake in a very slow oven (250°F) for about 1½ hours, turning occasionally, or until dried. Cool.
4. For Poached Pears : Meanwhile, place wine, water, liqueur, vanilla bean, orange peel and sugar in a medium pan; stir over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to boil. Peel pears, add to the pan and simmer, covered, for about 1 hour or until pears are tender.
5. Remove the pears from the pan and transfer to a bowl. Boil the remaining syrup, uncovered, until reduced by half. If the syrup is too sweet, add a little lemon juice to taste.
6. Strain syrup over the pears; refrigerate until cold.
7. Scoop the ice cream out and place on an oven tray covered with plastic wrap. Freeze for an hour or until firm.
8. Stand the pears at room temperature for about an hour before serving. Serve the pears and syrup with the ice cream and pear crisps.