Legume Free Spiced Poached Pears in Pomegranate Juice
Poached pears are one of those desserts that look impossibly elegant but come together with very little fuss, and this version is genuinely stunning. Firm Bosc or Anjou pears are simmered low and slow in a deeply colored bath of pomegranate juice, grape juice, honey, and a whole constellation of warm spices — cinnamon, star anise, ginger, black pepper, and a curl of orange zest. The result is fruit that's silky all the way through, blushed a gorgeous jewel-toned red, and perfumed with layers of spice that feel almost festive. Once the pears are poached, the liquid gets strained and reduced into a glossy, spoonable syrup that ties the whole dish together beautifully. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of legumes, so there's no need to audit labels or swap anything out — the recipe just works as written. The optional finishing touches of pomegranate arils and roughly chopped pistachios add a little crunch and brightness, but the pears are absolutely complete without them. This is the kind of dessert that impresses a dinner table without demanding much from the cook, and the leftovers — pears resting in that ruby syrup — are arguably even better the next day.
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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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