Vanilla Poached Pears

Name: Vanilla Poached Pears
Prep time: 30

4.3

4.3 out of 5 stars (based on 12 reviews)

30 min prep

4 servings

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4 ingredients

These poached pears make for a light, delicious, and easy dessert, especially for those on chemo. In Europe, they are often cooked with wine, but it’s really not necessary for great flavor. A little maple...

4 Bosc pears, peeled, cored and halved lengthwise (see Chef Tips)
4 tablespoons dark amber maple syrup, or to taste
⅓ cup cold water
½ vanilla pod (see Chef Tips)

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Nutrition Facts

Calories

180 cals

Fat

0 g

Carbohydrates

44 g

Sugar

32 g

Fiber

6 g

Protein

1 g

Sodium

5 mg

Directions

In a heavy wide shallow pan with a lid, arrange the pears cut side down in the pan with the narrow ends pointing towards the middle.
Mix the maple syrup with the water and pour over the pears. Tuck the vanilla pod in between the pears.
Bring the pears to a boil over a medium heat, turn the heat down to low and simmer covered for 20-25 minutes or until the pears are tender, turning them over about halfway through. When they are done, turn off the heat and let the pears sit in the covered pan to cool.
When cooled, discard the vanilla pod (see Chef Tips), and transfer the pears to a serving dish. Spoon the poaching liquid over them. Serve either chilled or at room temperature. For a special treat, serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt or mascarpone.

Chef Tips

Bosc pears are ideal for this recipe because they hold their shape when cooked.

Be sure to use real maple syrup for this and not pancake syrup, and if you can only find vanilla essence or extract, use no more than a ½ teaspoon.

Vanilla pods are expensive, but you can recycle them after cooking. Rinse and dry the used pods and store for a few days in an airtight jar buried in 1 cup of sugar per pod. This will flavor the sugar with vanilla for future use in baking and desserts, or add a vanilla boost to a cup of coffee.

Registered Dietitian Approved

Our recipes, articles, and videos are reviewed by our oncology-trained dietitians to ensure that each is backed with scientific evidence and follows the guidelines set by the Oncology Nutrition for Clinical Practice, 2nd Ed., published by the Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, a professional interest group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Cancer Society

Vanilla Poached Pears