Honey-Brandy Poached Pears

📜 Collection: The Loraine Collection | ✍️ Attribution: Unknown | 📂 Category: Desserts An elegant and simple dessert of whole pears gently poached in a sweet honey syrup, finished with a touch of brandy for a warm, sophisticated flavor. This refined dish offers a perfect balance of sweetness and depth, ideal for a sophisticated dinner party finish.


Prep TimeCook TimeInactive / Chill TimeYield / Servings
15 mins30 minsNone6 servings

🔪 Key Equipment

  • deep skillet
  • melon baller
  • paring knife

Ingredients

MeasurementsIngredientsPrep / Notes
6Pearspeeled, stems left on, cored from bottom
1/3 cupSugargranulated
1/3 cupWaterroom temperature
3/4 cupHoneyliquid
3 TbspBrandyadded at end

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pears

  1. Peel the 6 pears, leaving the stems on. Use a small spoon or melon baller to core them from the bottom, keeping the pears whole.

Step 2: Create the Syrup

  1. In a deep skillet, combine the 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  2. Stir in the 3/4 cup honey and carefully place the 6 pears into the syrup.

Step 3: Poach and Finish

  1. Bring the syrup to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Poach the 6 pears gently, turning and basting them occasionally, for 20-30 minutes or until they are tender when pierced with a knife.
  2. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the 6 pears cool completely in the syrup to absorb the flavors.
  3. Just before serving, gently stir in the 3 Tbsp brandy. Serve the 6 pears with a generous drizzle of the honey-brandy syrup.

💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: The pears can be poached and stored in their syrup in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; bring to room temperature before serving.


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