Pastry-Wrapped Poached Pears

Ryan Shepard - The Upside Blog

by | Updated: January 26th, 2021

A classic French dessert, poached pears (or “poire belle Hélène”) may seem intimidating to take on in the kitchen – especially when they’re wrapped in fancy agave-glazed puff pastry. So, we decided to break things down for you in an easy-peasy way so you can make a batch at home! This vegan-friendly recipe yields four warm and flaky pastry-covered pears with enhanced flavor from maple syrup, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla. Enjoy one of these golden treats with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream.

Puff-Pastry-Covered Poached Pears | Vitacost.com/Blog

Puff-Pastry-Covered Poached Pears | Vitacost.com/Blog
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Pastry-Wrapped Poached Pears

Servings 4 people
Calories 836 kcal

Ingredients

Pears

  • 3 cups sauvignon blanc white wine
  • 2 cups water
  • 3/4 cup cane sugar
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 2 strips lemon zest
  • 1- in. piece fresh ginger, peeled
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 vanilla bean, split & seeded
  • 4 firm Bartlett pears
  • 1 sheet puff pastry

Eggless "egg" wash

Instructions

  1. Place a piece of parchment paper underneath pot and use pencil to trace an outline around the edge. Cut out circle and cut a 2- to 3-in. hole in the center. Set aside.
  2. In pot over medium heat, whisk pear ingredients (except for pears and puff pastry). Peel pears, leaving the stem in place, and slice a thin portion off the bottom of each pear so they stand upright.
  3. Once mixture begins to simmer, turn heat to low and add pears. Cover pot with parchment paper round for roughly 18 minutes or until very soft.
  4. Transfer pears to cutting board, standing up straight, until completely cooled. Pour liquid into large bowl, add cooled pears and refrigerate overnight (optional).
  5. Remove pears from liquid. Pour liquid into pot over medium-high heat. Reduce liquid until thick and syrup-y. Pour syrup into container for serving.
  6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  7. Unroll thawed puff pastry sheet and slice into four squares, placing them on prepared baking sheet. Place pear on top of each square and cut around, removing any excess. Slice remaining sheet into ½-in.-wide strips. Beginning at the bottom, tightly wrap pear in about 2 strips, leaving stem exposed.
  8. In bowl, mix eggless “egg” wash ingredients together. Use brush to lightly coat puff pastry exterior. Bake for 25-28 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and transfer to serving plate.
  9. Serve warm with a drizzle of reduced poaching liquid syrup or a dash of powdered sugar.

Recipe Notes

  • Chef’s tip: Avoid boiling the poaching liquid. It’s best to slowly cook the pears until they are extremely soft and custard-like.
  • To order the ingredients you need to make this recipe, visit Vitacost.com!

Nutrition Facts
Pastry-Wrapped Poached Pears
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 836 Calories from Fat 216
% Daily Value*
Fat 24g37%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Sodium 166mg7%
Potassium 329mg9%
Carbohydrates 125g42%
Fiber 7g28%
Sugar 80g89%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 61IU1%
Vitamin C 9mg11%
Calcium 85mg9%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.