San Donato’s Recipes Advent Calendar: Poached pears in Chianti
Classic, elegant, decadent, delicious and perfect for Christmas… Dare I add more??
Today’s recipe is the dinner party last minute dessert that saves the day: red wine poached pears, at fattoria San Donato of course the wine becomes Chianti and for this recipe we have chosen the selection Fiamma, whose Merlot works wonders with the pears.
You may need a little bit of patience but, oh boy, is the result worth it and the process it’s so simple that makes up the waiting time!
Without much further ado, let’s get cooking!
P.S. make sure you keep a glass of Chianti near you at all times for the occasional celebratory sip!
INGREDIENTS
- 4/5 large plum pears
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- 4 cloves
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 Lemon’s rind
- 1 Orange’s rind
- 1 Bay leaf
- 2/3 cups of Fiamma Chianti Colli Senesi wine
- 1 cup of water
- A pinch of salt and pepper
Carefully peal your pears whole keepin the stem intact.
Add the cinnamon sticks, the cloves, the rinds, the bay leaf and the sugar into a pan. Pour in the wine and turn onto medium heat. Once the sugar starts meltind add the water and the pinch of salt and pepper.
Once the sugar is fully melted – it should take around 5 minutes the sauce should not boil, though some bubbles are accepted – gently place your pears in the pan and broil them to medium-low heat. Gently turn your pears every once in a while (3 minutes more or less) so that each sides cooks and soaks the wine evenly. The red wine sauce should barely simmer.
The whole process should take around 25 minutes. The pears will be ready once they are soft to the tuoch and easy to poke with a fork.
Further reduce the sauce if needed and get rid of the spices.
Voilà, your pears are ready to be served and your dessert is ready! Buon Appetito.
Here is an idea for using your pears – a ricotta, pear and walnut crostini! You’re welcome 😉
To find more about this wonderful pairing read Angelica’s article about cheese and wine pairing!
