Marsala Poached Pears Recipes

PEARS POACHED IN MARSALA

Steps:

• Peel the pears and scoop out the cores from the bottom with the point of a swivel bladed potato peeler. Immerse the pears in water mixed with two tablespoons of the lemon juice.
• Bring the Marsala to a simmer in a saucepan that will comfortably hold the pears upright. Add the sugar and cinnamon stick. Once the sugar has dissolved stand the pears up in the pan and cook gently until tender, about 15 minutes. Remove the pears from the pan, draining them well.
• Bring the Marsala mixture to a boil and cook rapidly until it is reduced to about three-fourths of a cup and is syrupy. Stir in the remaining lemon juice. Pour the syrup over the pears and cool before serving.

POACHED PEARS WITH MARSALA, CINNAMON, AND VANILLA

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups dry Marsala, 2 cups water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, split vanilla beans, and orange peel strips in heavy large pot. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add peeled Bosc pears. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover pot and simmer until pears are tender, turning pears occasionally, about 40 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer pears to platter. Boil liquid in pot until reduced to 1 1/4 cups, about 12 minutes. Pour syrup over poached pears. Chill until cold, turning pears occasionally, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
• Divide poached pears among 6 shallow bowls. Strain syrup; discard solids. Drizzle syrup over pears. Top each with dollop of mascarpone, if desired, and serve.
• Italian cream cheese, sold at Italian markets and many supermarkets.

MARSALA-POACHED PEARS WITH CINNAMON

Steps:

• Peel pears using a vegetable peeler; leave stems attached.
• Pour Marsala into a medium pot with a cover. Add 2 cups water and 6 tablespoons cinnamon-sugar. Put pears in pot and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium and cover pot. Cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes depending on firmness of pears.
• Remove cover and let pears and liquid cool to room temperature. Remove pears with a slotted spoon and put them upright in a bowl. Bring liquid in pot to a boil and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to 1 1/2 cups. Pour over pears and refrigerate until cold.
• Serve pears with their syrup. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar.