Poached Pears with Fig Syrup and Blue Cheese

Serves 4
Time 55 min

Aromatic poaching spices like star anise, cinnamon and allspice are a great match for fall pears. To easily remove lemon or orange rind in strips, use a vegetable peeler.

Special Diets:

VegetarianVegetarian

Ingredients

    1 1/2 cupsred wine
    1 1/2 cupsfruit juice, such as apple
    1/2 cupsugar
    1vanilla bean
    2whole star anise
    2cinnamon sticks
    2whole allspice, split and scraped
    2strips lemon or orange rind
    3whole black peppercorns, cracked
    4firm Bosc pears, halved and cored (stems left on, if possible)
    1/4 cupfig spread
    1/4 poundblue cheese (such as Stilton or Roquefort), crumbled

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Method

In a wide shallow saucepan, heat wine, juice, sugar, vanilla bean, anise, cinnamon, allspice, rind and peppercorns and gently boil for 5 minutes.


Reduce to a gentle simmer.


Arrange pears in the pan, cut-side down, and poach gently, spooning the liquid over the pears from time to time if they are not fully submerged.


Poach for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until tender but not mushy.


Remove pears with a slotted spoon and place on a serving plate to cool slightly.


Strain out poaching spices, or remove them with a slotted spoon.


Increase temperature and reduce poaching liquid until it's slightly thickened and syrupy, about 15 minutes.


Stir in fig spread.


To serve, fill each pear with some of the cheese, then spoon sauce over each half.

Nutritional Info

Serving Size

Calories

370

Total Fat

9g

Saturated Fat

5g

Cholesterol

25mg

Sodium

390mg

Total Carbohydrate

55g

Dietary Fiber

5g

Total Sugars

45g

Protein

8g

Note: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember - we're cooks, not doctors! You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information. See our Terms of Service.