Yes, more apples, you know what they say, an apple a day…. or apple brandy a day.. 🙂 Come on it’s apple season, what do you expect. This time though I am bringing pears to the party. This simple, yet elegant dessert is the perfect ending to any dinner party. Be sure to impress guests with this seasonal apple cider poached pears with a honey cardamom coconut cream!
Coming off my Wine Club, I had some leftover liquor from the party…yes, we didn’t drink it all! I also had these beautiful pears I picked up, they are Starkrimson and they have this amazing vibrant red skin and are a mild, sweet, somewhat floral flavor. They are in season now, August through November, I highly recommend picking some up! Any who, back to left over booze. I thought how delicious it would be to poach my gorgeous pairs in the flavors of my Apple Cider Sangria! So, these are poached in apple cider, apple brandy and dry white wine. Then some spices are thrown in for that extra oomph of fall. Cinnamon, cardamom, all spice and vanilla extract.
I am loving this fall flavors palooza! I have said this before, but I am going to say it again, I can’t get enough of the cozy warm comfort fall foods. Currently, Fall is my second favorite F word! Those of you who know me know what my favorite F word is… Err, food… Any who, I made these for a dinner party I hosted, and they were a hit! Not only are they impressive to look at, they taste pretty F’ing good… 🙂 Bonus, they are very light and the perfect subtly sweet treat, without weighing you down, end of the meal! You could even make them vegan, if that’s your thing, by leaving out the honey in the coconut cream (replace with maple syrup or coconut/date nectar).
Look at that golden delicious poaching liquid. More like liquid gold!
Light as air coconut cream, perfect accompaniment for your pears. Or just to spoon into your mouth. Either way, delish!
Whatever your thing is, these will be your new thing! Like I mentioned, they are simply elegant, beautiful and can be made a few hours before serving so you have time to prepare your meal and any other day of event details. I know how crazy it can get the day of and anything that helps ease the crazy is ok by me in my book!
Bon Appetit!
Diane
- Poached Starkrimson Pears:
- 4 Starkrimson Pears (or another variety you like)
- 2 cups apple cider
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ½ cup apple brandy
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp. all spice
- ¼ tsp. cardamom
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract.
- Coconut cream:
- 1 Container coconut yogurt (I use Coyo Natural)
- 1 to 2 tbsp. honey
- ¼ tsp. cardamom
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 to 3 tbsp. canned lite coconut milk
- For the Pears:
- Peel and core pears from the bottom, leaving the stem intact.
- In a large sauce pan add liquids and spices over medium/low heat to simmer.
- Add pears cover with wax paper and poach for 20 minutes until tender. Turning the pears a few times throughout poaching time. Remove pears and set aside in bowl.
- Turn heat up to high and boil mixture until reduced by half, around 25 to 35 minutes. Add vanilla extract. Reserve some of the poaching liquid to re-heat right before serving.
- Pour poaching liquid over pears in their serving bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Re-heat reserved poaching liquid and pour over pears just before serving.
- For the Coconut Cream:
- Mix coconut yogurt, coconut milk, honey and vanilla, add ¼ tsp. cardamom. Store covered in fridge until ready to serve. Spoon a dollop next to each pear for serving.
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