Girl with a Pear Earring

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 25 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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This Girl with a Pear Earring recipe is a delightful twist on poached pears, combining the elegance of a classic dessert with a modern flair. Perfect for a cozy dinner party or a special treat, it's both sophisticated and surprisingly simple to make.

Ingredients for Girl with a Pear Earring

Pears: Bosc pears are perfect for poaching because they hold their shape well and have a sweet, spicy flavor that complements the syrup.

White wine: Adds depth and sophistication to the poaching liquid, while helping to tenderize the pears.

Granulated sugar: Sweetens the poaching liquid and balances the acidity of the wine and lemon zest.

Vanilla bean: Infuses the syrup with a delicate, aromatic flavor that elevates the dessert.

Lemon zest: Adds a fresh, citrusy note that brightens the syrup and complements the sweetness of the pears.

Mascarpone cheese: Provides a creamy, luxurious base that pairs beautifully with the fruit and syrup.

Honey: Sweetens the mascarpone, adding a floral note that enhances the overall flavor profile.

Toasted sliced almonds: Add a nutty crunch that contrasts with the soft texture of the poached pears.

Tips & Tricks

  • Make sure to use ripe but firm pears for the best texture after poaching.
  • If you don't have parchment paper, use a small lid that fits inside the pot to keep the pears submerged.
  • For a thicker syrup, reduce the poaching liquid slowly over low heat and watch closely to avoid burning.
  • Experiment with different nuts like pistachios or walnuts for a unique twist.

Serving Suggestions

This dessert pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence. For a refreshing contrast, serve with a crisp white wine or a sparkling dessert wine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of pear?
Yes, you can use other varieties like Anjou or Comice, but Bosc pears hold up best when poached.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Absolutely! Poach the pears and prepare the syrup a day ahead. Store them separately in the fridge and assemble just before serving.
Is there a non-alcoholic option?
Replace the wine with a mix of apple juice and a splash of lemon juice for a non-alcoholic version.

Girl with a Pear Earring Recipe Walkthrough

Start by peeling and coring your pears. You want them to be smooth and ready to soak up all the flavors. In a large saucepan, combine white wine, sugar, the seeds from a split vanilla bean, and lemon zest. Stir this mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.

Once your syrup is ready, gently add the pears, making sure they're fully submerged. A clever trick is to cover the pears with parchment paper, which keeps them under the surface. Poach them for about 20-25 minutes until they're tender but not mushy.

Carefully remove the pears and let them cool. Meanwhile, keep simmering the poaching liquid until it thickens into a luscious syrup. While the syrup is reducing, mix mascarpone cheese with honey in a bowl until smooth and creamy.

To serve, place a pear on each plate, drizzle with the fragrant syrup, and add a generous dollop of mascarpone. Sprinkle with toasted almonds for that perfect crunchy finish.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It's a visually stunning dessert that's sure to impress your guests.
  • The combination of vanilla and lemon zest creates a fragrant and flavorful syrup.
  • Mascarpone and honey add a rich, creamy contrast to the tender pears.
  • Toasted almonds provide a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

4 Bosc pears, peeled and cored
2 cups white wine
1 cup granulated sugar
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
Zest of 1 lemon
8 oz mascarpone cheese
2 tbsp honey
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, combine the white wine, sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, and lemon zest.
2. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
3. Add the pears to the liquid, ensuring they are fully submerged.
4. Cover the surface with a piece of parchment paper to keep the pears submerged.
5. Poach the pears for 20-25 minutes until tender.
6. Remove pears from the liquid and set aside to cool.
7. Simmer the poaching liquid until reduced to a syrup consistency.
8. In a bowl, mix mascarpone with honey until smooth.
9. To serve, place a pear on a plate, drizzle with syrup, and add a dollop of mascarpone.
10. Garnish with toasted almonds.

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