Poires au vin
Pears in red wine
Poires au vin rouge: pears poached in spiced red wine (or grape juice)
Poires au vin are a simple winter dessert from Burgundy and the Loire, whole pears poached in red wine with sugar, cinnamon, orange and cloves until they turn a deep ruby, then served cold in their reduced syrup. The red wine version is made with alcohol, and most but not all of it cooks off; for children, pregnant guests or anyone avoiding alcohol, use red grape juice with less sugar and a squeeze of lemon. The common mistake is not turning the pears, so they colour unevenly. Chef's tip: leave the pears in the syrup overnight for the deepest colour.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 4 firm pearspeeled, stalks left on
- 4 oz sugar50 g if using grape juice
- 3 cloves
- 1 star anise (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)for the grape juice version
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Bring the 3 ¼ cups red wine, or red grape juice for alcohol-free, 4 oz sugar, 3 orange zest strips, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 cloves and 1 star anise to the boil in a pan that just fits the 4 firm pears, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the 1 tbsp lemon juice if using grape juice.
5 minStep 2: Add the pears, cover with a circle of baking paper and simmer gently for 25–30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes, until a knife slides in easily.
30 minStep 3: Lift out the pears and boil the syrup for 10–15 minutes until reduced by half and syrupy.
15 minStep 4: Pour over the pears, cool and chill, ideally overnight. Serve with the syrup.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 280 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 52 g
- Fat
- 1 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does poires au vin take?
- About 55 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of red wine, or red grape juice for alcohol-free?
- Stock with 1 tsp red wine vinegar per 120ml (½ cup).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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