Pears Poached in White Wine, Vanilla, Cinnamon, and Cream Cheese Sauce: A Festive Delicacy

Discover the exquisite taste of Pears Poached in White Wine, Vanilla, Cinnamon, and Cream Cheese Sauce. This dessert not only boasts a sophisticated flavor profile but also presents a beautiful visual appeal. The tender pears, infused with the aromatic blend of wine, vanilla, and spices, complemented by the smoothness of the cream cheese sauce, make this dish a true culinary delight.

Why You’ll Love This: Each element of this dessert – from the gently poached pears to the rich, creamy sauce – works in harmony to create a luxurious experience. It’s an ideal dessert for those who appreciate a balance of sweet and subtle spice flavors, with the added crunch of pistachios for texture.

Perfect Occasion: This dish is perfect for celebrating special occasions, especially during the festive season. It’s also a great choice for dinner parties or as an elegant finish to a gourmet meal.

Decoration Tips: Serve the poached pears on individual plates with a dollop of cream cheese sauce. Drizzle the wine reduction over the top and sprinkle with ground pistachios or almonds for a sophisticated touch. Garnish with a sprig of mint or a sprinkle of cinnamon for added visual appeal.

Ingredients:

• 8 small or 4 large pears
• 250g sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Orange peel from one orange
• 3 star anise
• 1 vanilla pod or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 750ml white wine
• Water (enough to cover pears)
• For the Cream Cheese Sauce:
  • 200g cream cheese (like Finlandia or mascarpone)
  • 150g heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste
  • Ground pistachios for garnish

Instructions:

1. Peel the pears, trimming the base so they stand upright. For large pears, cut them in half and remove the seeds.
2. Place the pears in a pot with sugar, spices, wine, and enough water to cover them. Cook over medium-low heat for 30-45 minutes, or until tender.
3. Remove the pears, strain the liquid, and reduce it over the heat until it forms a syrupy reduction, about 15-18 minutes. Cool the pears and reduction to room temperature, then refrigerate.
4. Whip all cream cheese sauce ingredients until smooth and refrigerate until serving.
5. Serve the pears with cream cheese sauce, drizzle with the wine reduction, and sprinkle with ground pistachios or almonds.

Enjoy this luxurious and festive dessert, a perfect way to end any special meal!