Coconut Free Spiced Poached Pears in Pomegranate Juice
These poached pears are the kind of dessert that looks like it came from a fancy restaurant but comes together in a single saucepan with ingredients you can feel genuinely good about. Firm Bosc or Anjou pears are simmered low and slow in a deeply aromatic bath of pomegranate juice, grape juice, honey, cinnamon, star anise, fresh ginger, and a strip of orange zest — no cream, no butter, no hidden dairy or tropical oils anywhere in sight. The result is fruit that turns a stunning jewel-toned burgundy and becomes silky-tender all the way through. Once the pears are poached, the braising liquid gets strained and reduced into a glossy, spiced syrup that you spoon generously over each serving. A scatter of pomegranate arils and roughly chopped pistachios on top adds a little crunch and brightness that makes the whole plate pop. This is the kind of naturally elegant, plant-forward dessert that satisfies a crowd without anyone feeling like they're missing out on something richer.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 firm bosc or anjou pears
- 2 cups 100% pomegranate juice
- 1 cup 100% purple grape juice
- 1 cup water
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 whole star anise
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 4 whole black peppercorns
- 1 strip orange zest (about 3 inches), pith removed
For serving
- 2 tbsp pomegranate arils (optional)
- 2 tbsp dry-roasted pistachios, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Peel the pears, halve them lengthwise, and use a melon baller or small spoon to scoop out the core and seeds. Leave the stems on if you prefer a more elegant presentation.
- 2
Combine the pomegranate juice, grape juice, water, honey, cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger slices, peppercorns, and orange zest strip in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring once or twice until the honey dissolves, about 3–4 minutes.
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