Lemon Verbena Poached Pears with Honey

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Delicate pears poached in a fragrant lemon verbena syrup, finished with a drizzle of local honey for a light spring dessert. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 30 minutes layers Bartlett pears, lemon verbena, lemon into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.5 (10 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 French cuisine 140 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel 4 medium Bartlett pears, leaving stems intact, and cut a thin slice from the bottom to create a flat base; set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups water, 3 lemon verbena sprigs, 1 thinly sliced lemon, 1 split vanilla bean, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1/4 cup honey; bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until flavors infuse.
  3. Step 3: Carefully add pears to the simmering liquid, ensuring they're fully submerged; reduce heat to low and poach for 15-18 minutes until pears are tender when pierced with a fork.
  4. Step 4: Remove pears with a slotted spoon and place on a serving plate; strain the poaching liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, discarding solids.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle 2 tbsp strained syrup over each pear and serve warm with extra syrup on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon Verbena Poached Pears with Honey take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Lemon Verbena Poached Pears with Honey?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon Verbena Poached Pears with Honey?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Lemon Verbena Poached Pears with Honey for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Lemon Verbena Poached Pears with Honey?

French desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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