How do you make poached pears in cider?

Key facts

• Firm pears. Williams or Comice (BBC Food), Conference (Good Housekeeping). [1] [2]
• Liquid. Pear cider or apple cider, sweetened and spiced. [1] [2]
• Time. About 20 minutes for halves, 35–45 minutes for whole pears. [1] [2]

Whole spiced pears (BBC Food)

For 4 pears: [1]

1. Bring 750 ml pear cider, 175 g golden caster sugar, sliced ginger, 3 cloves, a cinnamon stick, a small chilli and 10 cardamom pods to the boil, then take off the heat.
2. Add a split vanilla pod and 4 peeled pears, keeping the stalks on, so they are covered.
3. Cover with a circle of greaseproof paper and simmer for 35–45 minutes, until just tender.
4. Cool, then chill in the syrup. To make a sauce, reduce 200 ml of the syrup by half and whisk in cream.

Quick halves for a salad (Good Housekeeping)

Warm 500 ml cider with 2 tbsp honey and pared lemon zest, add 2 halved Conference pears, and simmer for about 20 minutes. Cool in the liquid, then slice into a salad with crumbly cheese and walnuts. [2]

More cooking ideas: cooking with cider.

Related answers: cooking with cider · what food goes with cider

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