When you are desperate for dessert, but don’t want to feel all guilty the next day for stuffing every piece of chocolate in your face within a 5 mile radius of your kitchen – try this: fruit based desserts.
Nature provides so many wonderful, natural sugars alongside the bold flavors of seasonal fruits. Whether your finding a use for the overly ripe peaches you couldn’t resist buying, or you want something comforting on a cold night, starting with fruit and adding some spices (and maybe a little tart crust or bread pudding if you’re feeling especially sinful) is a great way to go. More than likely, a few bites is all you need to satisfy that craving – and even if you ate the whole thing, it’s still fruit!!!
Copyright 2013 Siiri Sampson. All rights reserved.
This is an adaptation of a recipe I received from one of my professors back in college that is best made when it’s a cold night and all you want to do is snuggle up and watch a movie. You won’t believe how satisfying and rich it can be.
Red Wine and Ginger Poached Pears
serves 4
Ingredients
| 1 1/2 Cups | Red Wine |
| 1/2 Cup | Orange Juice + 1/2 the zest |
| 1/2 Cup | White granulated sugar |
| 2 | Cinnamon sticks |
| 1 | Lemon juice + zest |
| 4 | Red pears – FIRM |
| 1 tsp | Fresh grated ginger (peel first) |
Directions
- Combine all ingredients EXCEPT pears in a sauce pan and bring to a simmer.
- Peel and pears and level the bottoms, place standing up in poaching liquid.
- Poach at a simmer 15 minutes.
- Chill pears at least 1 hr. (you can serve them warm and they are very good this way, but they can be chilled are just as tasty either way)
- Reduce sauce to 50% and chill for presentation drizzle.
