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A slice of basque cheesecake topped with a poached pear on a clear plate.

Spiced Ginger Poached Pears

Soo Kim
These festive poached pears are great on their own or served alongside other treats, like the Ginger Basque Cheesecake.
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Ingredients

  • 1ΒΌ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 green cardamom pods
  • 3- in 8-cm piece ginger, thinly sliced
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 star anise
  • 3 small firm pears

Instructions
 

  • Cut circle of parchment paper slightly smaller than base of medium pot; set aside.
  • In same pot over medium-high heat, combine sugar, cardamom pods, ginger, cinnamon stick, star anise and 4 cups water, and boil until sugar dissolves.
  • Meanwhile, peel pears, leaving stems intact. Using melon baller or teaspoon, core each pear through bottom.
  • Reduce heat so liquid is simmering. Add pears; place parchment paper circle overtop, pressing directly on pears. Place small lid or plate on top to keep pears submerged.
  • Return heat to simmer; cook until tender in centre when pierced with knife, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool in syrup, about 3 hours.

Notes

Tip: Take your poached pears even further by drizzling with eggnog or a cream-cheese glaze, or sift icing sugar overtop and serve with vanilla ice cream.
Tip: Save leftover poached pears in syrup in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keyword Fruit Dessert, Holiday Recipes, Pear