Spiced Kosher Wine and Herb Poached Pears
Tender pears gently poached in spiced kosher red wine with cinnamon and star anise, delivering a fragrant and elegant dessert. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers peeled and cored firm pears, kosher red wine, granulated sugar 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 190 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.
Ingredients
- 4, peeled and cored firm pears
- 4 cups kosher red wine
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole star anise
- 1, split lengthwise vanilla bean
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large saucepan, combine 4 cups kosher red wine, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 whole star anise, 1 split vanilla bean, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 cup water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Step 2: Add 4 peeled and cored pears to the saucepan, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to low and poach the pears gently for 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Step 4: Remove pears carefully with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Step 5: Increase heat to medium-high and boil the poaching liquid until it reduces to a syrupy consistency, about 10 minutes.
- Step 6: Serve the pears drizzled with the spiced wine syrup warm or chilled, garnished with a small cinnamon stick if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Kosher Wine and Herb Poached Pears take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 Spiced Kosher Wine and Herb Poached Pears?
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 Spiced Kosher Wine and Herb Poached Pears?
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 Spiced Kosher Wine and Herb Poached Pears 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 Spiced Kosher Wine and Herb Poached Pears?
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.
