Mulled Crimson Pears Recipes

BRAISED PEARS

Steps:

• Bring the liquid and spice to a simmer and cook until the sugar dissolves.
• Add the peeled pears, steams on.
• Simmer for 15 minutes. The pears should be covered with the liquid, so use the right pot (thick bottomed pot).
• After simmering, remove from heat and cool the pears in the liquid.
• Turn into a bowl that will keep the pears covered in the sauce and refrigerate covered with saran wrap.
• Marinate for a day or two.
• Remove sauce and keep pears in the fridge covered.
• Bring sauce to a simmer and reduce by half.
• Chill sauce and pears until ready to service.
• Serve in martini glasses with good vanilla ice cream.
• Pour warm sauce over the pears.

PICKLED PEARS

Steps:

• Soak pears in water& fruit fresh/lemon juice to keep from browning.
• Tie pickling spice, ginger and cloves in a spice bag.
• Prepare liquid-combine spice bag, sugar, water, vinegar and lemon slices in a large stainless or enamel pot.
• Bring to a boil, cover and boil for 5 min.
• Add enough pears to create a single layer in liquid and poach for 7 min-drain with slotted spoon and place in a large bowl.
• Repeat until all pears are poached.
• Pour the liquid over poached pears, cover and let stand 18-24 hours in a cool spot.
• Remove pears and discard spice bag and lemons.
• Bring liquid to a boil.
• Pack pears into clean, hot jars.
• Pour boiling liquid to cover leaving 1/2 inch head space.
• Remove bubbles and seal.
• Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes at altitudes up to 1000 feet.

MULLED PEARS WITH ROQUEFORT DRESSING

Steps:

• Put the pears in a pan large enough to fit them in a single layer on the base. Pour over the wine and 300ml water, sprinkle over the sugar, then add the cinnamon stick. Put a small saucepan lid on top so the pears stay submerged under the liquid, then simmer for 10 mins until tender, but not mushy. Cool in the liquid, then chill until ready to eat. Can be made the previous day.
• Make the dressings. First, mix the vinegar and oil with seasoning in a bowl. Make the Roquefort dressing by slowly warming the cheese in a pan with the crème fraîche.
• Toast the pecans in a dry pan, then set aside. Take the pears from their poaching liquid, slice them three-quarters of the way up from the base toward the stalk end, then fan out on plates. Toss the watercress in the vinegar and oil dressing, pile onto the plates, then sprinkle over the nuts. Pour the warm Roquefort dressing around the pears or serve in shot glasses or mini jugs on the plates for guests to pour themselves.

GINGER PEARS

Steps:

• Use a saucepan that has a cover and is large enough to hold the pears upright in a single layer.
• Place the water, sugar, rind, and juice in the saucepan and stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil; stir in the ginger and set aside.
• With a vegetable peeler, peel the pears; if necessary, trim the bottoms a bit so they will stand upright.
• Place the pears in the syrup, cover, and cook over medium heat; baste the pears frequently (a ladle is handy for this since the ginger might get stuck in a bulb baster).
• Do not over cook; test with a cake tester or toothpick; when they pierce easily they are done; start testing after 20 minutes.
• When the pears are just tender, transfer them with a slotted spoon to a shallow bowl.
• Add the marmalade to the syrup and let boil for 5 minutes.
• Then add in the cognac, and pour the hot sauce over the pears.
• With a ladle or large spoon baste occasionally until cool; cover and refrigerate.
• Serve each pear standing upright in a compote or dessert bowl, with several spoonfuls of the syrup.

MULLED CRIMSON PEARS

Steps:

• Drain pears and place in a single layer in skillet. Add vermouth.
• Heat to boiling over medium heat; simmer, basting occasionally until evenly tinted, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat; boil vermouth until reduced by half, to concentrate the flavor.
• Pour over pears and garnish with mint sprigs.