Poached Pears With Creme Anglaise Recipes

POACHED PEARS WITH CREME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• To make the creme anglaise, rinse the inside of a non aluminum saucepan with water and shake out the excess.
• Pour in the milk and place over medium-low heat until bubbles form around the edges of the pan, about 5 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine the whole eggs, egg yolk, and sugar; whisk just until blended.
• Gradually whisk in half of the hot milk, then pour the egg mixture back into the pan.
• Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, leaving a clear trail when your finger is drawn through it, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Stir in the vanilla.
• Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and let cool.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or for up to 2 days.
• Julienne the zest from the lemon and set aside (reserve the lemon for the juice).
• With an apple corer or a small, sharp knife, carefully core each pear from the bottom.
• Trim the bottoms so they stand upright.
• Leaving the stems intact, peel the pears.
• In a large non aluminum stockpot, combine the pomegranate juice, brown sugar, lemon zest, juice from the reserved lemon and cinnamon stick.
• Bring to boil over high heat, then reduce heat to simmer.
• Place pears on their sides in the liquid and cook, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, seed the pomegranates by cutting them in half (careful, the juice can stain).
• Fill a large bowl with cool water.
• Holding the cut fruit under the water, peel back the skin and membrane to release the seeds, allowing them to sink to the bottom of the bowl.
• Discard peels and membrane; drain and reserve the seeds.
• Carefully turn the pears over and cook until a small knife can be inserted easily into the bottom of the pear, 10 or 15 minutes longer.
• Once the pears are done, remove them from the cooking liquid and stand upright on individual serving plates.
• Remove and discard the cinnamon stick.
• Pour about 2 cups of the poaching liquid into a small saucepan; simmer over medium-low heat until reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
• Mix orange liqueur and cornstarch together in a small bowl.
• Gradually whisk the orange liqueur mixture into the reduced poaching liquid; reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring until the sauce thickens to a glaze, about 10 minutes.
• Pour a little of the glaze over each pear, then spread some of the creme anglaise around the bottoms of each one.
• Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and garnish with a mint sprig.
• Serve the remaining glaze alongside.

POACHED PEARS WITH VANILLA CREAM

Steps:

• Peel 4 firm, ripe Bosc pears, and core from the bottom using a melon baler, leaving stems intact. In a 2-qart microwave-safe dish with a lid, place 2 tablespoons light-brown sugar and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, and add pears. Cover, and microwave on high until the pears are tender enough to pierce with a knife, 10 to 12 minutes (timing will vary depending upon ripeness of pears). Don't be concerned if pears fall over on their sides as they cook. Carefully uncover, as dish lid will release steam.
• Transfer cooked pears to four shallow serving bowls, leaving juices behind. Add 1/4 cup vanilla ice cream to the juices of the dish; stir until smooth and saucy. Dividing evenly, spoon sauce around the pears; serve at room temperature or chilled.
• Whip the cream: In a large bowl, whisk remaining 2/3 cup cream and granulated sugar until soft peaks form.
• Assemble: In each of eight shallow dishes, arrange 2 banana halves lengthwise. Place 2 scoops ice cream on bananas. Top with butterscotch sauce, whipped cream, and, if desired, peanuts and a cherry.

POACHED PEARS WITH GRAND MARNIER CUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• Make Grand Marnier Custard Sauce.
• For pears: Squeeze juice from 1 ½ of the lemons; measure and reserve 3 tblsps of the juice.
• Add remaining juice to large bowl of cold water.
• Using corer or small, thin-bladed knife, core one pear, leaving stem intact, through the blossom end.
• Pare and place in acidulated water.
• Repeat with remaining pears.
• Mix 3 cups water and sugar in saucepan large enough to hold all the pears.
• Heat, stirring frequently, over medium heat until sugar dissolves and liquid begins to boil.
• Stir in reserved lemon juice.
• Drain pears and place in simmering syrup.
• Cook uncovered, turning carefully occasionally, over medium heat until tender, 35-45 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Cut 4 very thin slices from remaining lemon half.
• Add vanilla and lemon slices to poaching liquid.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Refrigerate, covered, until cold.
• Remove pears with slotted spoon to individual dessert plates; spoon custard sauce over pears; garnish with orange zest.