Poached Pears with Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon allspice berries
- 1 (1 inch) piece ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
- 1 orange, zested
- 4 firm Bosc pears - peeled, cored, and halved
- 4 large scoops vanilla ice cream
Directions
- Stir water, honey, ginger, peppercorns, allspice, and orange zest together in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Scraped seeds from the vanilla bean into the boiling liquid; add the pod halves.
- Submerge the pear halves in the poaching liquid; they should be completely covered in liquid. Reduce heat to low and cook at a simmer until the pears are tender, about 30 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat and allow the pears to cool in the poaching liquid. They can be stored in the refrigerator like this if you are making them in advance.
- Drain peaches through a fine-mesh strainer, reserving the liquid. Bring the liquid to a boil in a saucepan and cook until reduced in volume by at least half, has taken on a thick syrupy consistency, and darkened in color.
- Put one scoop ice cream into each of four dessert bowls; add two pear halves to each. Drizzle the syrup over pears and ice cream to serve.
Mealthy tip:
If you want to slightly cut some of the calories, the pears can also be served with plain or vanilla Greek-style yogurt for a healthier treat. You could also try sweetening the poaching liquid with maple syrup for a more caramelized flavor if you prefer.
Reviews
What others are saying
Katie Hason says:
Poaching pears is so easy! This was my first time trying them with ice cream and they were really good. I'm trying to eat lighter so next time I will probably use frozen yogurt instead.
Jessica Scott says:
I frequently make these poached pears! They are so delicious and perfect for canning. Also really nice as a healthy-ish sweet treat with ice cream.