Maple-Infused Pears in a Decadent Sauce
Indulge in the comforting flavors of these Maple-Infused Pears, a sophisticated dessert that will impress your guests and delight your taste buds. This recipe features tender pears poached in a luscious maple and orange sauce, enhanced by a hint of ginger. Each pear is served upright on a beautiful dessert plate, surrounded by a rich, sweet sauce that pairs perfectly with a generous dollop of whipped cream. For added texture and elegance, sprinkle the dish with chopped toasted nuts or coconut, and garnish with a decorative twist of orange peel. This dessert is not just delightful to taste, but also a feast for the eyes, making it a perfect choice for special occasions or a cozy dinner at home.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
pears
6 (peeled and cored, leaving the stems attached)
brown sugar
1/2 cup (packed)
maple syrup
1/3 cup (pure)
margarine or butter
1 tablespoon (melted)
orange zest
1 teaspoon (freshly grated)
ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon
cornstarch
1 tablespoon
orange juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
Instructions
1
Peel and core the pears from the bottom, ensuring that the stems are left intact.
2
Arrange the pears upright in the slow cooker.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, melted margarine or butter, orange zest, and ground ginger. Stir well to create a smooth mixture.
4
Pour the mixture evenly over the pears in the slow cooker.
5
Cover the slow cooker and set it to high heat. Cook the pears for 2 to 2.5 hours, or until they are fork-tender.
6
Once cooked, carefully remove the pears from the cooker and place them upright on a serving dish or individual dessert plates.
7
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with freshly squeezed orange juice until smooth. Stir this mixture into the sauce in the slow cooker.
8
Cover and cook on high heat for an additional 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
9
Spoon the rich sauce generously over each pear before serving.
10
For an added touch, garnish with chopped toasted nuts or coconut and a dollop of whipped cream on the side. Decorate each plate with a twisted slice of orange.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Maple-Infused Pears?
Maple-Infused Pears are a sophisticated dessert featuring tender pears poached in a luscious maple and orange sauce with a hint of ginger.
How many pears are needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 pears.
Should the pears be peeled?
Yes, the pears should be peeled and cored from the bottom before cooking.
Do I leave the stems on the pears?
Yes, for an elegant presentation, ensure that the stems are left intact.
What is the best way to arrange the pears for cooking?
Arrange the pears upright in the slow cooker.
What appliance is used to cook the pears?
This recipe utilizes a slow cooker.
What setting should I use on my slow cooker?
Set the slow cooker to high heat for this recipe.
How long do the pears need to cook?
Cook the pears for 2 to 2.5 hours or until they are fork-tender.
What ingredients make up the initial sauce mixture?
The mixture consists of brown sugar, maple syrup, melted margarine or butter, orange zest, and ground ginger.
Can I use butter instead of margarine?
Yes, you can use either 1 tablespoon of melted margarine or butter.
What type of maple syrup is recommended?
The recipe specifies using 1/3 cup of pure maple syrup.
How do I thicken the sauce?
Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice and stir it into the sauce.
When do I add the cornstarch mixture?
Add the cornstarch mixture to the slow cooker after the pears have finished cooking and have been removed.
How long does the sauce take to thicken?
Once the cornstarch mixture is added, cook the sauce on high for an additional 10 minutes.
What amount of brown sugar is used?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar.
Is fresh orange zest necessary?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of freshly grated orange zest for the best flavor.
How much ginger is included?
Only 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger is needed to enhance the sauce.
How do I serve the pears?
Place them upright on a serving dish or individual plates and spoon the thickened sauce generously over them.
What garnishes are suggested for this dessert?
You can garnish with chopped toasted nuts, coconut, and a dollop of whipped cream.
How can I make the plate look more decorative?
Decorate each plate with a twisted slice of orange peel.
Is this recipe good for special occasions?
Yes, it is an elegant and visually appealing choice for special occasions or cozy dinners.
How do I know when the pears are done?
The pears are ready when they are fork-tender.
Do I need to stir the sauce mixture before pouring it over the pears?
Yes, stir the brown sugar, syrup, butter, zest, and ginger well to create a smooth mixture.
Can I use bottled orange juice?
The recipe suggests 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice for the thickening slurry.
What is the first step in preparing the pears?
The first step is to peel and core the pears from the bottom.
Does the recipe include nutritional information?
The provided recipe data does not specify calories, fat, or other nutritional metrics.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 total ingredients required.
What texture should the sauce have?
The sauce should be rich, sweet, and thickened to your desired consistency.
Should the cornstarch be mixed with something before adding it to the cooker?
Yes, it should be mixed with orange juice in a small bowl until smooth before being added.
What is the role of the ginger in this recipe?
The ginger adds a subtle hint of spice that enhances the luscious maple and orange sauce.