Holiday Spiced Wine-Poached Pears
Elevate your holiday gatherings with these exquisite wine-poached pears, bathed in aromatic spices. This delightful dessert features perfectly tender pears, infused with the rich flavors of dry red wine, warm cinnamon, and fragrant cloves. Ideal for preparing in advance, this recipe allows the flavors to meld beautifully as the pears soak in the spiced wine overnight, making it a perfect make-ahead option for festive occasions. Serve these luscious pears chilled to highlight their sweetness and create a stunning centerpiece for your dessert table. The vibrant orange zest adds a refreshing citrus note that complements the deep, rich flavors for a truly memorable finale to your holiday meal.
8
Servings
187.5
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
medium pears
8 (peeled, cored, and halved lengthwise)
dry red wine
2 cups (none)
sugar
1/2 cup (none)
cinnamon stick
1 (none)
cloves
4 (none)
orange
1 (zested and juiced)
Instructions
1
Start by peeling, coring, and halving the pears lengthwise. Gently place them into the crock pot, ensuring they are arranged snugly for even cooking.
2
Pour the dry red wine over the pears, ensuring that they are fully submerged. Add the sugar, cinnamon stick, and cloves to further enhance the flavor.
3
Zest the orange, being careful to avoid the bitter white pith, and add all the zest to the crock pot. Optionally, you can toss in the squeezed orange halves for additional flavor.
4
Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the pears are tender but still hold their shape. Stir occasionally if desired, to distribute the spices.
5
Once cooked, allow the pears to cool slightly before transferring them to a serving dish. Pour the spiced wine mixture over the pears.
6
Chill the pears in the refrigerator for several hours, ideally overnight, to let the flavors deepen and meld. Serve cold as a sophisticated holiday dessert.
Nutrition Information
0g
Fat
37.5g
Carbs
0.25g
Protein
25g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Holiday Spiced Wine-Poached Pears?
They are an elegant holiday dessert featuring pears simmered in a mixture of dry red wine, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest until tender.
What type of wine should I use for poaching?
This recipe calls for 2 cups of dry red wine to provide a deep, rich flavor profile.
How many pears does this recipe require?
You will need 8 medium-sized pears for this recipe.
How should the pears be prepared before cooking?
The pears should be peeled, cored, and halved lengthwise before being placed in the crock pot.
What spices are used in the poaching liquid?
The recipe uses one cinnamon stick and four whole cloves to infuse the wine with warm, aromatic flavors.
Is there any citrus in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes the zest and juice of one orange to add a refreshing citrus note.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of sugar to sweeten the wine poaching liquid.
What is the recommended cooking method?
The pears are cooked in a crock pot on the low setting.
How long do the pears need to cook?
The pears should cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until they are tender but still hold their shape.
Can I make this dessert in advance?
Yes, this is an excellent make-ahead dessert as the flavors deepen when the pears soak in the wine mixture overnight.
Should I serve the pears hot or cold?
These pears are intended to be served cold after being chilled in the refrigerator for several hours.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 187.5 calories.
What is the fat content of this dessert?
This is a fat-free dessert, containing 0g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
Each serving contains 37.5g of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in the poached pears?
There is a minimal amount of protein, approximately 0.25g per serving.
How much sugar is in one serving?
Each serving contains 25g of sugar.
Do I need to submerge the pears completely?
Yes, you should ensure the pears are fully submerged in the dry red wine for even cooking and color.
What should I avoid when zesting the orange?
Be careful to avoid the bitter white pith of the orange when collecting the zest.
Should I stir the pears while they cook?
You can stir occasionally if desired to help distribute the cinnamon and cloves throughout the liquid.
What do I do with the wine mixture after cooking?
Once cooked, pour the spiced wine mixture over the pears in a serving dish before chilling.
Is this recipe suitable for the holidays?
Absolutely, it is specifically designed as a sophisticated centerpiece for holiday dessert tables.
What texture should the cooked pears have?
The pears should be perfectly tender but firm enough to hold their halved shape.
Can I use the squeezed orange halves?
Yes, you can optionally toss the squeezed orange halves into the crock pot for extra flavor during the cooking process.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
The tags include dessert, holiday, pears, wine, spiced, crock pot, make-ahead, and chilled dessert.
Is this a good option for a light dessert?
Yes, since it is fat-free and based on fruit, it is a lighter alternative to many heavy holiday cakes or pies.
Does the recipe include fiber information?
The provided data does not specify the fiber content for this recipe.
What is the sodium content?
The sodium content is not listed for this specific recipe.
Is there any cholesterol in this dish?
This recipe contains no cholesterol.
How long should the pears chill?
They should chill for several hours, though overnight is ideal for the best flavor development.