Ruby Pears In A Golden Cage Recipes

BAKED PEARS IN SPICED POMEGRANATE SYRUP

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
• In a small non-reactive sauce pan (such as stainless steel, glass, enameled or nonstick), combine the pomegranate juice and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat, then add the lemon juice, cinnamon sticks and cloves.
• Arrange the pears cut side down in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Pour the pomegranate syrup over the pears, and place the dish in the oven. Bake for about 45 minutes, basting occasionally, until the pears are tender and easily pierced with a sharp knife. If serving hot, proceed to the next step; otherwise, cover and chill until ready to serve.
• Place the pears in shallow bowls and spoon the syrup over top. Sprinkle the pomegranate arils around the pears and garnish with cinnamon sticks, if desired. Serve with fork and knife for cutting the pear, and a spoon for the syrup. (The dish may be served hot, cold or room temperature.)
• Note: Be sure to use firm, not ripe, pears. It's best to peel them with a vegetable peeler and core them with a mellon baller.

RUBY PEARS IN A GOLDEN CAGE

Steps:

• Combine the flour, salt,sugar and turmeric in a bowl.
• Add the butter and shortening and cut in until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Mix the vinegar and cold water and add, one tablespoon at a time, to the flour mixture, stirring with a fork until just combined. Wrap in plastic and chill 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 F, ideally with a baking stone.
• Use a melon baller to scoop out the pear seeds, leaving a small hole.
• With a paring knife, carefully notch out the stem.
• In a small dish mix the granola and butter. Place evenly into the cavity of each pear half and set aside.
• Melt the jam and honey together, set aside.
• Roll out ⅔ of the pastry on a floured surface to ¼" thick and divide into 4 pieces, each just large enough for a pear half.
• Flip the pear halves onto each pastry square and brush with jam mixture.
• Roll out the remaining pastry to ⅛"-¼" thick and cut into strips.
• Form strips into a lattice over each pear, pressing to seal at the bottom.
• Use a knife to trim around the pears, and form stems and leaves with the excess crust.
• Bake until pie crust is golden and juice is bubbling out from pears, about 20 minutes if your pear is very ripe, up to 40 with firm pears.

PEARS POACHED IN RED WINE, CARDAMOM AND ORANGE

Steps:

• Combine first 7 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to simmer. Add pears and return mixture to simmer. Reduce heat and simmer slowly until pears are tender when pierced with knife, about 25 minutes. Transfer pears to plate. Boil liquid in saucepan until reduced to 3 cups, about 20 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill pears in poaching liquid. Before serving, rewarm over medium-low heat until pears are heated through.)
• Arrange 1 warm pear and 1 scoop of ice cream on each of 4 plates. Drizzle some poaching liquid over. Sprinkle with biscotti crumbs. Garnish with orange peel strips, if desired, and serve.

BAKED PEARS WITH ROSEMARY, GORGONZOLA CHEESE AND PORT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Sprinkle each pear half with brown sugar and rosemary, dividing evenly. Arrange pears in glass pie plate. Bake until tender and golden, about 20 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle half of cheese over each. Bake until cheese melts, approximately 5 minutes.
• Place pears on plates. Spoon 1 tablespoon of Port over each and serve.

POACHED PEARS

Steps:

• Combine the port and sugar in a saucepan with 2 cups water; heat until the sugar dissolves. Add vanilla beans.
• Peel and core pears. Pour on port mixture and simmer 15 to 40 minutes, until tender.
• Let pears cool in the liquid.
• Reduce the liquid to less than a cup. Serve individually with the liquid spooned over.